Update on the Struggle of Ungdomshuset in Copenhagen, Denmark

Update on the Struggle of Ungdomshuset (Youth House) in Copenhagen, Denmark

Thursday, February 22 2007 | A meeting in Copenhagen and actions in France, Germany and Russia - see http://ungdomshuset.dk

While representatives of Ungdomshuset met with the head mayor of Copenhagen French activists occupied the Danish consulate in Lyon. Also Berlin and Moscow activists have carried through support actions within the last week.

At a meeting at city hall today people from the house met with politicians of the Social Democratic Party to re-present the four demands from the house. Stating that a new house has to be in our local area, has to be as big or bigger than Ungdomshuset, has to be self governed and has to be given to us.

The politicians still refuse to give us a house despite the fact that they have sold the one we have today. So the meeting did not lead to a solution to the ongoing conflict. But the politicians and the foundation supporting us will look at one more unexplored option. Still nobody is getting there hopes up. Never trust a politician.

While the meeting was being held at city hall the local government got a fax from France stating that the Danish consulate was occupied in solidarity with Ungdomshuset. 15 had made there way into the consulate and 50 others handed out leaflets on the street.

Just a week ago activist in Berlin demonstrated in front of the Danish embassy and handed over a letter of support to the Danish delegates.

The day after the action in Germany activist in Moscow did street theater at the Danish embassy there.

Read more about the action in Berlin, Germany
http://indymedia.dk/article/854

See the video from the action in Moscow
http://indyvideo.ru/video/2006/20061216_daniya.wmv

20. februar 2007

+++++++++++++

To all friends of Ungdomshuset

Ungdomshuset has said no to buying another house but has left a door open for the politicians. We will not pay to solve a problem they have created. If they want us to move they can try offering us a house for free, But since they are not willing to do so we expect an eviction soon.

The present situation of the house is as follows: The mayor of Copenhagen, Ritt Bjerregaard, has last week put up a ridiculous 'solution' to the conflict. She has suggested that the foundation 'Jagtvej 69', which was originally established by supporters of the house to attempt to buy back the Ungdomshuset, should just buy another house for us who use the house.

We have answered: 'NO fucking way!' and and have explained this answer by saying that there�s no way that the city council can escape the trouble they themselves have started by offering to sell us a house. Secondly, more importantly, the existence of self governed free spaces must never depend on having enough money to buy them.

Ungdomshuset has put out one simple re-demand to the mayor: If she presents a house (of same or larger size, with the same facilities as the present one) under the exact same terms as those under which Ungdomshuset was given to the squatter movement in 1982, then we�ll talk to her, not before. The '82 terms were simple: An unbreakable contract from the city, giving the usage of the house to the squatters for free, forever.

As we write this, rumors of an upcoming eviction attempt are swirling. Some are no doubt born from stirred up paranoia, but some are not. What we know is this: A large number of cops have been called from other cities to Copenhagen, and they are preparing a larger action. This could very well be a sign that eviction is near at hand. We hope that our comrades far and wide will be ready to react when the time comes. If you have the possibility to go to Copenhagen in the days before and following an eviction, there will be arranged sleeping places and accommodation around the city.

It's a time for action and no matter what happens; Ungdomshuset will not go quietly into the night.

See you on the barricades!

Ungdomshuset February 9th 2007

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