In Venezuela evicted squatters get social housing. In UK, thrown onto streets

[tony at cultureshop.org.uk]

Caracas’s sky-high 'Tower of David' slum finally cleared of its 2,500 squatters http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/caracass-skyhigh-tower-of-david-slum-finally-cleared-of-its-2500-squatters-9624189.html The tower is a symbol of how prosperous Venezuela once was – and of its current state of inflation and poverty img The unserviced tower was abandoned during construction in 1993 when its owner died By KIRATIANA FREELON Wednesday 23 July 2014 The Tower of David dominates the Caracas skyline and overlooks its slums. It is a place in which people sought refuge from the daily violence of the sprawling city. Officially called the “Torre de David” after the financier who built it, David Brillembourg, the one-time office tower was until this week filled with more than 2,500 squatters. This refuge – known as the world’s tallest slum – will soon be empty. The Venezuelan government started the “peaceful” evacuation of thousands of squatters this week. “This is not an eviction,” Ernesto Villegas, the minister for revolutionary transformation, told reporters. “It’s a co-ordinated operation, in harmony with the community in the tower. Today we have begun with floors seven, nine and 28,” he said, adding that those leaving were being voluntarily resettled in government housing in Ciudad Zamora, outside Caracas. “As we all know, this is a structure that does not have the minimum conditions for a life that is safe and lived with dignity.” Residents enter the building through the car park, which allows them to access the 10th floor. From there, they must walk up stairs to get to the 28 occupied floors. The elevators never functioned. In pictures: 'Tower of David' - the world's tallest slum When a man identified only as Hipolito moved into the tower, his apartment was just mounds of dirt, he said in a documentary about the tower. There were not even walls. But residents organised themselves, built their homes and accessed electricity, plumbing and water – none of which is provided by the government. A Vocativ documentary about the slum shows Hipolito sitting on a couch in front of a flat-screen television surround by red-hued walls. Residents are transported to a new home after being evicted from the Tower of David (Reuters) Residents are transported to a new home after being evicted from the Tower of David (Reuters) The tower, once described by a New York Times writer as “a parable of hope for some and of dread for others”, is a symbol of how prosperous Venezuela once was – and of its current state of inflation and poverty. Construction of the building was abandoned in 1993 when Mr Brillembourg died. El Niño Daza, a Bible-toting gangster, led hundreds of civilians into the empty building in 2007 and took it over, creating his own fiefdom, according to a 2013 New Yorker story. Promoted stories 3 Things to Consider Before Embarking on a Buy-to-Let Scheme 3 Things to Consider Before Embarking on a Buy-to-Let Scheme (Money Advice Service) New Mortgage Rules Will Make it Harder to Prove You Can Really Afford Your Dream Home New Mortgage Rules Will Make it Harder to Prove You Can Really Afford Your Dream Home (Money Advice Service) Taking control of your weekly food budget Taking control of your weekly food budget (Supersavvyme) Behind the scenes of DWPs Workplace Pensions adPlay Video Behind the scenes of DWPs Workplace Pensions ad (Youtube - DWP) More from The Independent Tour de France effect brings Hollywood blockbusters to Yorkshire Tour de France effect brings Hollywood blockbusters to Yorkshire (23 July 2014) The quest to find the perfect pair of earphones: Are custom, 3D printed earbuds the solution? The quest to find the perfect pair of earphones: Are custom, 3D printed earbuds the solution? (23 July 2014) Recommended by utbrain Top story img Israel may have committed war crimes in Gaza Strip, says UN human rights chief Navi Pillay gives specific mention to airstrike and naval shelling that struck seven children on a beach Other news img Fighter jets shot down near MH17 site Ukraine government says missiles came from Russia Travolta's pilot wins right to tell all about their 'personal and intimate' relationship Peaches' final day – and her fatal decision Tory donor whose firm is one of UK’s biggest tax avoiders If the poor like being fat, do the rich like talking drivel? Read next img Ewan McGregor launches opening ceremony with message from Unicef Commonwealth gamesThe actor encouraged the one billion viewers of the event to donate to the children's charity 'Gracious, political, interesting': Twitter users rate opening ceremony You can't screw your way to the top Debutant James leads United's 7-0 smashing over LA Galaxy Tour de France effect brings Hollywood blockbusters to Yorkshire footer-logo The Independent 2 Derry Street London W8 5TT © independent.co.uk Terms & Policies Privacy Policy Code of Conduct
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