Police Campaign of Violence

A police campaign of violence against anti-capitalist activists began at the
weekend when they swooped on a squatted community building and, with the help
of bailiffs and the building's owners, vandalised the former button factory, rendering
it inhabitable. Mechanical diggers were used to demolish part of the building.

Two hundred (if you read the Sunday Telegraph) or 150 (if you read the Sunday
Times) police officers were involved in the raid, even though the building was
known to be empty. Officers from the Metropolitan, City and British Transport Police
(if you get your news from the BBC) or Special Branch overseen by MI5 (if you read
the Sunday Times) or riot police (if you read the Sunday Telegraph) were involved
in violence and property destruction. "We're the law, and we can smash up what the
fuck we like," a copper said, still sweating from his exertions. "I wish you hadn't
smashed the bogs up, I need a shit," said another boy in blue.

There is a long history of squatting buildings for community purposes in London,
and in the Brixton area in particular. This squat was one in a long line of previous
squats (such as the Cool Tan - so called because it was housed in a former sun tan
lotion factory, and the old Dole House). These squats have been used as meeting
places for community groups, and as art and entertainment spaces. However, in
recent years, a drive by local councillors to turn Brixton into a high-rent Yuppy
playground has led to widespread evictions of squatters.

Anarchists squatted and continuously occupied the 121 centre on Railton Road in
Brixton for more than fifteen years. By law, the building should have become the
property of the occupants. However, Lambeth Council decided that building a load
of shopping complexes was more important for Brixton's future than the existence
of vibrant, grassroots, community groups.

Big money is more important than little people, and as ever, the police will always
be on hand to effect the "legal" violence that usually accompanies such evictions.
For many years, councils have employed professional "property destroyers" whose
job it is to make sure that squatted buildings - once evicted - cannot be used again.
For example, they might fill toilets with cement or take floor boards out.

Now that they have smashed up the former button factory they say that "a police
presence will be maintained in the area to ensure community safety." Funny that -
coming from the same force that routinely beats up Black men whilst in custody.

arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)