Monday 19 and 26 September 2022, two benefit events for Wijde Heisteeg 7 squatters, support the squatter’s legal defence fund. Food served from 7pm, no reservation. On monday 19, DJ Daan from Rauwe School.
On the 9th January 2016 a squatting action took place in the center of Amsterdam. WH7 Wijde Heisteeg 7, a 6 story building in a pretty bad shape. This action was done for two reasons, the presentation of the squatting manual and as a living/social space.
The building was chosen for being a famous example of emptiness for speculation. It is owned by P. W. Hagedoorn, A well know speculator from the city who was also involved with the Spinhuis eviction.
The house was previously squatted in 2007 till 2011. Then was evicted to remain empty for five more years till it was squatted again.
The project hosted numerous people as well a social space with a free shop and different activities. It also worked together with the neighbours and Vereniging Vrienden van de Amsterdamse Binnenstad to fight against the owner and his new project. He wanted to make a renovation that was met with opposition of both groups for different reasons.
After almost one year of good times and struggle the court of Amsterdam decided to take the inhabitants to court. As expected this court was just a show where the inhabitants could not win, but pretended to be fair. Less than 16h after the verdict was given in the morning of 23 December the police show up at the house at 7 am and started the eviction. 4 people a dog and a cat where arrested inside the house. They spend some hours/days in a cel complex to be released waiting for a court date.
In November 2017 two of the people arrested got a fine of 500€ and were requested to give their DNA samples. For the other two people the court has ordered prison sentences, one of four and one of six weeks and DNA samples from each.
The son of the owner filed a claim for € 106.110,60 in damages and compensation for lost rent and VAT. the court declared this request inadmissible.
The 2 persons with prison sentence decided to make an appeal to the court decision.
The higher court took place on the 24th June 2021. The judge decided to reduce the sentence. The person with 4 weeks got 1 week on probation. The person with 6 weeks got 3 weeks on probation. For both the probation time was 2 years.
Volkseten Vegazulu is a people’s kitchens existing since the very beginning of Joe’s Garage, June 2005. Your donations are welcome. Food is vegan, no reservation. All benefits go to social & political struggles. Joe’s Garage is a space run by volunteers. Without a collective effort, without your active participation, we’re remaining closed. Get in touch in you feel like giving a hand. We’re always looking for cooks. Any help is welcome in the kitchen. Experience not required. If you want to know which days are still available, mail us.
Come and eat some tasty vegan food and donate to the squatters legal defence fund. We tried to beat Blackstone in court, sadly we lost because they argued they are so rich they can pay whatever the renovation will cost. Now we have to pay, please help us so we fill up the fund and squatters ain’t gotta be scared of the law ever because the solidarity is STRONG.
