24.11.2008
A new social centre is developing near Birmingham City Centre. Please come and get involved.
JUSTICE NOT CRISIS have moved on from their squatted Cllr John Lines homeless village, http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/node/21744
into the Firebird pub, on the local Benmore estate.
The protest has become much more than a housing demonstration. “Its a response to the lack of youth provision, community provision and the lack of communal spaces for people to meet without the need to spend money.”
Since entering the pub the group has been cleaning up, inside and out, making it safe and secure. There is a cosy community space and the young people from the local area have been given their own space to do their own thing. They’ve brought in their own pool table and a sofa. They have also decorated the entrance during a grafitti workshop.
Free advice on debt, benefits and housing is being offered to local residents, a fireplace has been built from recycled materials found on-site and a library has been started.
The beginnings of a Social Centre are emerging from the initial Justice Not Crisis protest and the collaboration between the different groups involved. For more information on Social Centres go to; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_centre
We are still in the process of fixing up the space and anyone is welcome to come down and get involved.
Some of us will be at the film screening this Thursday at The Spotted Dog in Digbeth at 7.30pm, showing and talking about we’ve been up to.
For more info;
http://www.justicenotcrisis.wordpress.com
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Previous updates (since last report):
THE JOHN LINES HOMELESS VILLAGE FINDS NEW LOCATION
November 9, 2008
Following the granting of an eviction by Birmingham’s county court The Councillor john Lines Homeless Village has moved to a new site.
Following our live interview on BBC1’s The Politics Show campaigners form JUSTICE NOT CRISIS moved tents and belongings to a new site just 50m away. The old site has been cleaned up and the remaining few things will be removed tomorrow (Monday) before the bailiffs turn up SO NO BIG CLEAN UP EXPENSE councillor Lines.
The site is at the start for the Pershore Road (city end). Parking is available in Balsall Heath Road. Click here for a map.
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HOUSING DEMO MOVES TO A THIRD SITE
Posted on November 12, 2008
Having moves to a new site just yards from the original site we have now been told to move again. We didn’t want to cost the council any money be refusing and making the council pay for a bailiff so we have left the site.
Our new location is at the old Firebird Pub in Bellevue. We have chosen this site as the building has been empty for years, is vandalised daily and is an eyesore. The land could be used for social housing, community facilities, a business that could provide jobs, etc but the owners have left it empty and falling down.
Bellevue is almost opposite the old camps and can be reached by buses: 61,62, & 63 Bristol Road, 45 &47 Perhore Road or the 8A & 8C.
Click here for a map.
See top of story for more info.
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