URBAN CONVERGENCE SPACES/PUBLIC SQUATS......
This guide is in no way written by an expert; and is a work in progress. Internet links are at the bottom of this document.
Recently there have been numerous legal, rented camps and gatherings (for example, Earth First, No Borders) and camps occupying squatted sites (The Camp for Climate Action). There have also been numerous urban convergence spaces (Glasgow and Edinburgh during the G8) and squatted social centres; both long and short term, including Rampart, the Spike, the Temporary Autonomous Artist's convergences, all the squats across the country for April 11-12 Autonomous Days of Action, and many, many more.
This guide is specifically about short-term squats and urban convergence spaces for large scale events. It covers large scale urban convergence spaces, such as those in Edinburgh and Glasgow during the 2005 G8 protests and also buildings used as a contact point for wider mobilisations. For more information on social centres generally please see the excellent Trapese website, or the Social Centres Network Wiki.
Convergence spaces are places where people can meet, socialise, organise actions and get cheap food. They are self-managed and non hierarchical which means everyone has to contribute to their running. Most mobilisations - whether urban or rural - rely on an urban convergence space of some description, from which to organise and coordinate people/equipment and services.
WHY SQUAT?
Squatting is legal in England and Wales. Squatting (buildings or land) is an action in itself...when we create autonomous spaces we create our own places from which to celebrate, create, take action and mobilise.
WHY RENT?
You may decide that you want more stability for your convergence space and therefore renting maybe a good option for you. Also, in recent times, many social centres (both rented and squatted) have been used as convergence spaces. Remember however, that the powers that be can interfere in all manner of ways. If you are renting, this is not a guarantee that you will have a secure space.
WHY URBAN?
Urban convergences have a long history of providing activists with the essentials required when mobilising large numbers of people. They can provide a stable communications hub, act as a storage facility, meeting point, info shop, or café, provide accommodation, or a space from which to build essential infrastructure for large land projects. Urban convergence spaces also support movement building; providing a space for new people to get involved. This is especially important if you are expecting a strong international presence at your mobilisation; people will need somewhere to sleep and feel secure.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE?
Consider the practical requirements of your project; and be realistic about your limitations. Whether you are squatting or renting a convergence space, you'll need to consider the following: fund-raising, electrics, plumbing, health and safety, length of stay, cleaning, legal issues, security, equipment ('tat') and skills.
Remember, all buildings whether rented or squatted are never guaranteed to be secure and reliable. Owners can be placed under great pressure from the police if it is for a political event. Local residents may also mount campaigns resisting the existence of the space. As with land projects, be aware that you could be raided/shut down/evicted at any time and take precautions accordingly.
SETTING UP
As with land squats, urban convergence spaces (especially squatted ones) are extremely vulnerable during the 'set-up' stage. It's important to think about defences you might need before hand (and have a good team ready to help out if needed; including legal support).
The benefit of squatting a building is that you don't have to worry about all the bureaucracy associated with renting. However, even though you don't do so much official paper work, it's useful to sort out things like collecting and banking money, dealing with solicitors, owners, the media and bailiffs, and getting the utilities turned on.
The most important thing is to find a place you are not going to get evicted from quickly. It's difficult to tell how long a squat will last for. It could be a while, or you could be evicted in a couple of weeks through the court. It's also important to know if the owner has a record of violent evictions. Buildings are often easier to occupy if they are owned by the council, a university or other large public
institution – large organisations that act slowly. Commercial landlords and property companies are more unpredictable.
Opening a new squat is always a bit of a gamble. Check for signs of someone living in/using the building, how easy it is to get in and what the condition of the place is. Whether you are looking to squat, buy or rent, the most effective way of finding a building is to walk, bike or drive round every street of the area you are interested in. If you are not sure, note the address and you can do a search for the owner through the Land Registry.
Whether squatted or rented, chances are that as soon as the powers that be realise you are organising from a specific location, that location will come under surveillance. They may well station themselves outside the building, photographing who is entering and leaving the building, monitor CCTV, or bug the building and also try to obstruct work. Be mindful of this when directing people to the space; it can be quite upsetting if people have not had much interaction with the police.
TAKING A BUILDING
For more information on getting into a building, security and legal issues and conencting to the utilities, see the excellent 'Squatters Handbook'; written by the ASS, this is the bible for any squatters, and contains practical, comprehensive instructions for all aspects of squatting.
ORGANISING THE SPACE AND ITS ACTIVITIES
The size and dimensions of your space, as well as time and money, shape the possibilities and limitations. Is the convergence space a space for anyone to come and spend time in, or is it much more work focused? What do you need in terms of equipment and access? Always make sure there is someone in the space to deal with enquiries. This can be quite draining; so make sure that individual feels valued and has support and regular breaks! If you are using an urban space to support a land project such as the Climate Camp, make sure you have good communications with it, and that the same people don't get left sorting out all the administrative tasks! Sometimes squats can end up feeling quite restrictive if you don't have people to relieve you.
Problems can often arise with urban convergence spaces when they are opened. Autonomous spaces still require some agreements to work! Who can stay there? Will it be a vegan space? What will the policy on drink/drugs be? Can anyone go anywhere in the building? How will you make decisions in an emergency?
You should also think about connecting with the outside world. If your project is very short term you probably won't bother doing much community outreach. However, it may well be useful to have good contacts in the local area so you might want to consider doing the following:
Make a clear display area in the space on how to get involved
Make sure working collectives are clearly contactable and have regular, open meetings, Set up an email discussion/announcements/organising list but also make sure that those without email are contacted
Have a phone contact or email address that is checked regularly but rotates around different people
TELECOMS
Internet access and incoming and outgoing phone lines in a squat or other non permanent spaces can be difficult as fixed contract services might not be practical or possible.
Good communications are vital to effective organising so providing autonomous spaces with good communication tools is very important. However, by their nature autonomous spaces tend to be temporary and economically challenged so this document looks at how those issues affect us and can be overcome. It's vital to maintain contact with the wider world; if you have a squat phone, always make sure its charged, and that whoever is answering it has a nice telephone manner, and try to keep credit on it!
Connecting to the internet with a contract can be problematic in temporary convergence spaces and squats. Do a wi-fi audit of your area; and if it seems too difficult to crack into then consider asking your neighbours if you can share.
For more details on squat telecoms, including mobile phones, soft phones, skype and VOIP, see the excellent Activix wikki.
EVICTION/DEFENCES
Whether squatted or rented, if your campaign is successful and the police or owner decide you are being too effective from your chosen space, you will face increased pressure. Make sure the building is legal; and conforms with health and safety guidelines etc. Liaising with the council is often key to the success of urban and rural events. Try to make connections to the council before the police do; and maintain a professional, approachable front.
If the powers that be are determined to shut you down, they will try to find any way possible to declare the space unfit for public habitation. Don't give them any reason to shut you down.
Self managed spaces close or move on for a variety of reasons. A campaign may end, group energy may be sapped, finances may go belly up, the landlord may cancel your tenancy. In the case of squats, they are usually evicted.
If you want specific advice (from ASS or anyone) scan your court application papers and post them online for people to take a look. The best defence will probably be a technical one based on errors in their paperwork. It's always worth trying a defence, however dubious it may seem, it could get you more time in the building and you never know what might occur during that time. If you are seriously considering eviction, be prepared, and think carefully about equipment and skills you might need, and again, consult the Squatters Handbook!
Good luck!
RESOURCES
There is a lot of help out there...use it!
ASS
Invaluable support service for squatters. They'll help; with practical advice, including legal. ASS produces The Squatters Handbook ( 12th edition is the latest ) It's Â￡2.00 from Advisory Service For Squatters, 84b, Whitechapel High St, London E1 7QX
http://www.squatter.org.uk/
Office hours are 2-6 Monday to Friday
Phone:- 020 3216 0099 ( or 0845 644 5814 land lines outside of London ) addradvice@squatter.org.uk
TRAPESE
Trapese is a Popular Education Collective who offers workshops and training aimed at inspiring and promoting action for changing our world. ...Authors of Handbook for Change; which includes useful information on social centres.
http://trapese.clearerchannel.org/
SOCIAL CENTRE NETWORK
Social Centres are self-managed spaces either owned, occupied or leased which take many different forms.
http://www.socialcentresnetwork.org.uk/
SQUAT TELECOMS
The Aktivix wikki contains lots of useful information for grass roots campaign groups; and the chapter on squat telecoms is full of practical ways to keep your convergence space or squat connected...
https://en.wiki.aktivix.org/SquatTelecoms
