The squatter crew Autonomous Nation of Anarchist Libertarians (A.N.A.L.) have occupied a number of high profile buildings in central London in recent weeks. These have included the former Institute of Directors (corporate fatcat club) HQ, Admiralty Arch (state power icon due to be turned into hotel), and now 24 St James’ Square, a flash office building on one of London’s most expensive squares, empty for ten years. They have been getting big picture splashes in corporate media rags like the Evening Standard and Daily Mail.
On Friday evening (10 April) the St James’ Sq squat came under siege by a mini-army of security guards. The heavies used similar tactics to those seen recently on the Aylesbury Estate and other squat clashes recently: unable to retake the building, they forcibly block entrances and exits to lock down the occupation, keeping out supporters and supplies.
This tactic is not usually successful, as many times our side can mobilise bigger numbers to come down and break the siege. Several dozen people responded to a call for back-up from ANAL on Friday evening, and the security thugs were forced to back down, after a few scuffles.
Police also came along, and in this case didn’t give the security any support, but instead warned them for not displaying their SIA (Security Industry Authority) registration badges, as her majesty’s law demands.
A number of the security guards present on Friday are regulars from Southwark Council’s security operation at the Aylesbury Estate. As a matter of course they do not wear any company insignia or registration numbers. They have been repeatedly violent and offensive to occupiers, estate residents and passers by.
We post below some photos from Friday. If you have any further information on these characters and their employers, please share it. Email to rabble(at)autistici.org, and/or to the Aylesbury Estate occupiers at aylesbury(at)riseup.net. Or you can contact ANAL via their facebook page, where there are also some more photos.
via Rabble Ldn
