Mass sleep out Mon eve (31st) against the Government's Criminalisation of Squatting

[mark at tlio.org.uk]

Members of the Land is Ours will be able to have a follow-up Autumn 
Gathering meeting at the following action this coming MONDAY evening 
(31st OCTOBER) in Central London, as part of a MASS SLEEP OUT

MEET AT HIGH STREET KENSINGTON TUBE – EVENING STANDARD HQ 6.30PM

THERE WILL BE A NEARBY (PUMPKIN) SOUP KITCHEN AND STREET 
ENTERTAINMENT, BRING YOUR SLEEPINGBAG, CARDBOARD, AND WARM CLOTHES!

CRITICAL MASS (BIKES) MEET AT WATERLOO 7PM

TUESDAY 1st NOVEMBER: ON MASS REGISTRATION OF HOMELESSNESS

9AM OUTSIDE WESTMINSTER HOUSING OPTIONS SERVICE, 101 ORCHARDSON 
STREET, NW8.

THIS ACTION IS TO SYMBOLISE THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF CRIMINALISING 
SQUATTING ON THE ALREADY STRETCHED HOMELESSNESS SERVICES

This is in response to the Government attempting to sneak through the 
criminalisation of squatting, through attaching an amendment onto the 
Legal Aid and Sentencing Bill which will be voted on in Parliament 
this Tuesday 1st November. This is despite the fact that legislation 
already exists to protect residents from having their home squatted, 
namely Section 7 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 in which it is already a 
criminal offence to squat someone’s home.

Over 95% of responses to the ‘consultation’ on squatting were against 
further criminalisation, despite this the government is still going 
ahead with their proposals – effectively bypassing democracy.

A recent study by Sheffield Hallam University said ending so-called 
squatter's rights would criminalise homeless people who usually 
occupied disused or abandoned properties as a last resort after being 
turned away from hostels and shelters.

SQUASH have tried engaging with the democratic processes but despite 
overwhelming support to not criminalise squatting we have been 
ignored.

Our only rational response now is to call for people to TAKE ACTION. 
We have been forced into this position. See you on the streets!
Source: 
http://www.squashcampaign.org/2011/10/out-of-the-squats-and-into-the-streets/