Ken Clarke's London home targeted by squatters' rights protesters 15.09.11

September 15th 2011. Activists against moves to criminalise squatting served the justice secretary a mock six-month eviction notice.

Protesters have targeted the London home of justice secretary Ken Clarke in protest against plans to make squatting a criminal offence.

Members of the Squatters' Housing Action Group clambered onto the porch roof of Clarke's terraced house in Oval, served a mock six-month eviction notice on him, and unfurled banners declaring "housing is a human right" before climbing down.

They are campaigning against a Ministry of Justice (MoJ) consultation on a proposal to criminalise squatting in England and Wales, as is already the case in Scotland, which is due to conclude early next month.

There was no sign of any police officers while the activists protested on Clarke's roof.

Joseph Blake, from Squatters' Action for Secure Homes (SQUASH), said Clarke was targeted "because by attempting to criminalise squatting he is essentially criminalising the homeless in the middle of a housing crisis and people are rightfully angry".

The government's proposals follow a spate of high profile squats in London, including one in the home of film director Guy Ritchie. Ministers say the new offence will help to prevent the damage caused to property owners by squatting.

Homelessness and squatting campaigners say the plans could change the law of trespass to a criminal offence, affecting the ancient land right to shelter in abandoned buildings. Currently if you enter a house which has been abandoned and unsecured and claim it as your abode, it is treated by courts as a civil offence.

Veteran squatter Phoenix, one of the activists involved in today's protest, said: "Poor, homeless people could end up being put in prison simply because they seek shelter in an abandoned building.

"The Empty Homes Agency estimates that there are 725,000 empty homes in the UK which should be brought back into use. We can't just stand by and let that happen.

"Some sections of the media run stories about people who go on holiday and come home to find their homes occupied by squatters. There examples are rare and there is already legislation allowing the police to immediately remove them from premises."

The activists also barged into a TV interview with former chancellor Alastair Darling on College Green and demanded to know whether or not he was backing the government's anti-squatting legislation. He declined to respond. They then visited the recently vacated Lib Dem HQ and made a failed attempt to squat it.

"It's now an empty property. It would make a perfect community centre," said Phoenix.

A group of about 25 protestors later gathered outside the Department for Communities and Local Government.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "Not everyone who squats does so through desperation or because the alternative would be rough sleeping and the reason people squat may vary.

"The consultation process will tell us more about the types of people who squat and the extent of squatting."

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/sep/15/ken-clarke-squatters-rights-pro...

Squatting protests - As they happened (timeline) http://bit.ly/p2AfUu

Squatters Housing Action Group (SHAG) https://squattershousingactiongroup.wordpress.com

Squattastic http://www.squattastic.blogspot.com

UK.Indy: Epic Action Day by Squatters,Ken Clarks,Lib Dems nearly squatted,Dale Farm http://bit.ly/qmP20v

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[seank231]

;-)

[VerySweatyBetty]

It's NOBODY'S right to break into someone else's property and take it over. Housing isn't a human right, it's a necessity - so get off your backsides, earn some money and pay for it yourselves instead of wanting everything for nothing. No such thing as a 'free ride' in life Get some pride and lose this idiotic sense of entitlement, you're like whining 8 year old children - except they seem to have more understanding about what's right and what's wrong. Man up.

[seank231]

@VerySweatyBetty Are the women to "man up" too? If so, how? Do tell .. ;-)

[VerySweatyBetty]

@seank231 I'm saying nothing ;)

[seank231]

@VerySweatyBetty ;-)

[underterraingrunter]

Most of us feel we need more space than we have. The planning regulations in this country don't allow us camp in one place more than 28 days of the year or to live in a structure that doesn't have planning permission. The lazy option is squatting. It leads to all kinds of conflicts and has effects the squatters couldn't possibly imagine. The Dale Farm crisis gives us a golden opportunity for positive change. It's time to overthrow the planning regulations in a harmless way.

[abzNlaurz]

Theres a difference to sheltering and then breaking into someones house and taking it over. Are YOU paying the bills? NO. Then get the fuck out! Get a job for yourself and then realise that life is hard for everyone. And Squatters are making it even harder for decent, honest human beings!

[underterraingrunter]

Living in a caravan is essential for the good health of some people. This is now being acknowledged. Equally some of us need to live in a traditional nomadic dwelling and others need a simple home office in their garden. Some travellers need to live close to their families, equally many house dwelling families need extra accommodation in the garden to keep a growing family housed. Dale Farm gives the green light for small scale development throughout our varied culture.

Build your own home.