Helsinki occupied social centre - call for solidarity 22 November

8 November 2007:

On November 22nd the City of Helsinki is going to make a decision if they will legalize our squat. It is likely that the decision is going to be negative, but our struggle can change that.

We appeal to all of our friends across Europe to act in our support against the conservative and right wing politics that are being pushed through by the officials of the City of Helsinki. Find an embassy of Finland close to you, arrange a demo, send us regards, do what ever you please but now is the moment we need your support.

We are very grateful for the support we received before, from Malmo, Copenhagen and other places. One month ago we made them back of with their plan to evict us. Now we find ourselves in the same situation where we face risk of eviction, but also see a possibility of legalizing our social centre. Stakes are higher this time, because we think now city can't postpone their decision. Now we need help even more urgently from our friends in struggle.

In Helsinki we are going to arrange a demonstration November 22nd and you are totally welcome to come here to support us. We have accommodation for you here, so please inform us if you re coming, to: sosiaalikeskushki@gmail.com. We are not giving up!

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from Elimäenkatu 15, 3 November 2007:

Dear friends of the social centre movement, in Europe and beyond! Thank you for your responses to our call for solidarity in defence of the Elimäenkatu 15 squat in the Helsinki district of Vallila, Finland. Negotiations between the users and occupiers of the house and (through the city authorities) the owner of the house, insurance company Etera, were threatening to end up in a deadlock and call for eviction this Thursday, the 25th of October.

A study called for by city authorities claimed that the house is in too poor condition to be used, and that it can not be repaired for less than 100 000 euro. This false claim was to be used as a reason to evict the building, a 3-floor house that previously served as a bar and office space and was squatted and turned into an occupied social centre in August 2007.

As of today, the city authorities decided to not process the issue in their meeting, but rather delay any decision until the 22nd of November. This may mean more time for the squatters to present their plan for how to manage the space, and hopefully win a more permanent position.

However, the owners’ original threat to call for an eviction unless a negotiated conclusion is reached during the month of October remains. We hope the risk of negative publicity and actions will keep them from carrying out their threat, but will only know after further negotiations.

Please stay tuned to the process. We feel that there have been concrete achievements and a strengthening of our position, especially thanks to the struggle together with the comrades in Copenhagen, last month and last year. We wish you luck in your battles, and look forward to standing by your side in the future. And please be ready to act again also on our behalf if there is need. We may now have a week more, or a month more, or a year. But at some point also we will come under the attack of capital. Until then, and especially then, you are welcome to visit us in Helsinki!

Yours,
the squatters of E 15
http://www.q-olio.net/valtaus/?q=node/102

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Support letter from Danish squatters

Open letter delivered to the Finnish embassy in Copenhagen the 25th of October:

To the City Council of Helsinki

Recently, we have become aware that the new social centre in Helsinki: the Elimäenkatu autonomous social center is under threat of eviction, due to bureaucratic struggles about rules and regulations. The establishment of user-driven free spaces should be seen as a benefit for any city. After a long intensive and very expensive struggle, the city council of Copenhagen has acknowledged the importance of supporting the non-uniform and user-driven youth culture and have undertaken serious negotiations concerning the establishment of a social centre to replace “Ungdomshuset” (the Youth House).

The City Council of Copenhagen has finally realised that evicting the “Ungdomshuset” and thus closing down a free space and destroying a possibility to explore an alternative way of living and organising the lives of people in a society that is far from perfect was not the solution to a problem; rather it created a whole lot of problems for the city.

We believe that the freedom to experiment with different ways of self-organisation is vital for a democratic society. It is important to challenge the way we organize our lives, to keep the society vibrant and dynamic. A social centre is an ideal place for introducing and awakening a political awareness.

The social centre provides a unique and fertile context for young and old people to express themselves and to create the art and culture of tomorrow. The social centre is the green house that nurses and nurtures the creative underground, and in our opinion, the value of this input cannot be overestimated.

We are very concerned that an eviction will alienate the creative youth that is your city's and country's most valuable resource, and we implore you: Do not close down the Elimäenkatu autonomous social center!

- Copenhagen youngsters in support of Elimäenkatu
http://www.q-olio.net/valtaus/?q=node/104

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e-mail: sosiaalikeskushki@gmail.com
Homepage: http://www.valtaus.org

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