IndyMedia - Vrij Media Centrum Nederland

On Wednesday July 27, the judgement came on the eviction of eight squatted homes on the Kanaleneiland. The claim of the squatters was rejected. The squatters can be evicted from September 15 onwards. The motivation for this is not currently known, but in the courtcase it was already clear that there is no actual need or the owner to regain the property. "It's just that the city council and corporations in Utrecht have agreed not to negotiate with squatters" said the squatters.

The homes on the Kanaleneiland were occupied in April in protest against the city demolition. With the project "Kanaleneiland centre” 1100 cheap social housing units were demolished to make way for the free rental sector and expensive houses. Only 138 social housing units have been built. Kraker Rogier: "Gentrification is the deportation of non white residents in order to set up white enclaves."

That the city council and corporations make it a point of principle to not negotiate is obvious. Of course they don't like their policies to be criticised. That the police and prosecution service, now apparently have the legal right to evict is less obvious. "This is a legitimate and well-founded criticism of racist policies" said a squatter. In an open democracy, this protest should not be repressed by the police.

On wednesday the 27th of july the judge decided about the eviction of 8 squatted buildings in Kanaleneiland. The demand of the squatters has been turned down. Starting from the 15th of September the police is licit to evict the buildings. The reason behind this verdict is not yet clear. However, during the courtcase it did was clear that the owner doesn't benefit from eviction, as they don't suffer any damage by the situation. "This is about a principle: the government of and coorperations in Utrecht agreed not to negotiate with squatters." -the squatters.

The houses have been squatted in April out of protest against urban 'renewal' (destruction). The project in this area (kanaleneiland centrum) means 1100 social housing houses ( (: ) have been destroyed so far. They will be replaced by private renting and expensive houses for sale. Only 138 social renting houses have found a place is this... urban renewal. Squatter Rogier: "Urban destruction means the deportation of not-white residents to establish white enclaves."

The fact that Utrechts' local government and its cooperations choose this principle position is self-evident. Ofcourse they don't enjoy it when their policies get criticized. However, it becomes clear here that the police and public prosecutor choose to serve their personal profit, and they get judicial back up! "The squatters express legitimate and well-founded criticism of racist policies." - a squatter. That should not be suppressed by the police of an open democracy.

Gewonnen door te verliezen

Inmiddels het vonnis bekeken, erg curieus ding. Wij hebben gezegd dat de staat geen belang heeft bij ontruiming, de rechter zegt dat er vanaf 15 september belang is. Nu niet dus. Kortom. De rechter geeft ons gelijk, maar wil dat niet toegeven.

& Zie ook eerder:

Nieuw kraakpand kanaleneiland, https://www.indymedia.nl/node/34492
Krakers protesteren tegen armenbestrijding - Squatters protest against gentrification, https://www.indymedia.nl/node/34489 .