HOUSING STRUGGLES are becoming a key aspect of the defence of working class living standards, and militant squatters are increasingly drawing sections of the labour movement into united action against the speculators and their allies in the councils.
In Paddington, London, squatters in the Conal Flats, Harrow Rd., are resisting Westminster Council's attempts to evict them in order to demolish the flats. They are being supported by the newly formed Paddington Tenants Federation.
The Labour Group is forcing a debate on the Council, in an attempt to stop the demolition. Squatters and tenants will picket Marylebone Town Hall during the debate, at 5.30 p.m., on 6 June.
OCCUPIED
On Friday night, 31 May, 20 militants from the Bristol Joint Housing Action Campaign occupied an empty six-storey office block in the centre of Bristol, owned by Mithras Properties, a London-based firm. The militants came from tenants associations, squatters, Case-Con socill workers. women's lberstion. and che IMG. On Saturday morning the Communist Party Joined the occupation, and during the day abour 100 people participated. The Bristol Trades Council, and several prominent figures in the local labour movemeor have pledged their support.
In Bricion police and bailiffs moved from a squat in Terminus Road. They were met with harricaded doors and windows, flour bombs, filby water, and a large militant picket. One squatter charned himself to the door.
Red Venk ly This muss resistance foroed the police and bailiffs to back down. Local residents have promised support when the forees of port is being mobilised at the Unwersity.
In London last week, the Action Hacked Enquiry into property speculacion. when as based in the receally re-occupied premises at 220 Carden High St, bold a puhlic meeting on the lessons of Clay Cross. This was addressed by two Labour councillors and IMG menher Piers LOTUSE It was made clear at the meeting that shour Councillers most not amply be prepared to break with bourgeois legality, but must base themselves on mass action, otherwise demands such as the compulsory take-over of property will simply insan thal the working class is made to compensate the property-owners
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