CALL OUT Justice Not Crisis Social Centre in Birmingham

Tue May 5 16:21:16 BST 2009

CALL OUT: Justice Not Crisis Social Centre.

Justice Not Crisis (JNC) is a direct action pressure group based in 
Birmingham. We're currently squatting a house on Pershore road, and 
we need your help to build a thriving Social Centre here.

The idea is to use the space for meetings, workshops, and as a 
headquarters to fight against 'the system'. It's a space that can act 
as a focal point, like minded people can get together, and share ideas/skills.

We think social centres offer a unique opportunity for people to get 
together, get organised, and really do something that will make a 
difference to the world. When we get together, we share skills, ideas 
and experience. There are many different groups in Birmingham 
fighting for many different causes, but surely we all have something 
in common. At the end of the day, we're fighting the same enemy. So 
why not help each other? There is a great energy when people work 
together. The whole can be greater than the sum of it's parts.

At the moment JNC has been focused on social housing, highlighting 
the insanity of allowing perfectly usable buildings to be left empty 
when there are 30,000 people on the waiting list for homes, and many 
people sleeping rough on the streets of Birmingham. We feel that it's 
criminal for property owners (who have no right to the land anyway) 
to leave buildings empty, just so that they can make more profit in 
the future.

After squatting in the Firebird pub for 12 weeks, it was finally sold 
to Optima housing association who are in the process of using the 
land to build social housing.

At the Beechwood hotel on Bristol road we tried to protect the land 
from environmental damage done by the owner, Mr Kang, who was burning 
toxic waste there, cutting down protected trees, and poisoning the 
lake. Unfortunately we didn't have sufficient numbers to prevent 
eviction from the Beechwood.

JNC has good connections with official political groups, and many 
high profile supporters. We work using a mix of conventional politics 
and direct action. We have a good legal team, and know how to use the 
system to our advantage when it suits us. We also have excellent 
contacts with the media.

In conclusion, here is a real chance to do something cool in 
Birmingham. Show the world that Birmingham is not a dead city for 
activism, that there are people here that will stand up and fight for 
what they believe in. JNC will always go on, but at the moment we 
need more support if we are to use this space properly. Without more 
support we feel that the social centre could disappear.

However, if the people of Birmingham decide to rise up, there are 
always more buildings. We have the experience now to open and manage 
new squats. Imagine a network of social centres, where the people 
decide the rules. Where anyone can go and feel welcome. Where we 
share things and operate for the good of the people, instead of to 
make a profit. Where we can escape the silly rules and bureaucracy 
imposed on us by our 'rulers'.

If you're interested, drop round at any time, or call Pete on 07534 
082 173. You don't have to be an 'activist' to get involved. Everyone 
is welcome. If you have something to teach, come and share it. If you 
have food to donate, that's always appreciated. Even if you're not 
sure about the project, but are curious, come and see what we do. All 
support is useful and welcome.

318 Pershore Road

Edgbaston

Birmingham

B5 7QY

<http://www.JusticeNotCrisis.com>www.JusticeNotCrisis.com

<mailto:Justice.Not.Crisis at googlemail.com>Justice.Not.Crisis at googlemail.com

Please pass this message on to anyone that you feel might be 
interested. Feel free to repost it online, print it, pass it on to as 
many people as possible.

There will be a meeting/party/gathering on Saturday 9th May. Turn up 
any time after 6pm, invite your friends, and lets see if we can come 
up with any good ideas.

If you want, this can be the start of a revolution. ..

<http://www.radio4all.net:8080/files/tony@tlio.org.uk/2149-1-dialect20090314.mp3>http://www.radio4all.net:8080/files/tony@tlio.org.uk/2149-1-dialect200 
<http://www.radio4all.net:8080/files/tony@tlio.org.uk/2149-1-dialect20090314.mp3>90314.mp3 

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