hackney social centre

Dear High Court Bailiffs,

2008-04-22T07:13:00.001-07:00

Where were you? We waited for you, and were most sorely disappointed to discover that you, our most important guests, decided not to come to the party organized in your honour! Here's a taste of what you missed:

Read more about the Monday eviction attempt with "Hackney Social Centre - Morning Report" on Indymedia: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/397162.html

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MONDAY EVICTION THREAT

2008-04-19T10:27:00.000-07:00

More information: This is the Hackney Social Centre's first eviction. Usually, this means that County Court Bailiffs come to execute the warrant of possession. Our county court bailiff eviction was scheduled serval weeks ago for 10:20 am on Monday April 21. However, last week, two squats in Hackney successfully resisted their first evictions, despite large police presence and persistant police intimidation. On Friday morning at 9:30am two police officers and two alleged representatives of the courts arrived at the Hackney Social Centre with an "Advance Notice" that a writ had been obtained for a HIGH COURT eviction, scheduled for 9:00 am on the Monday. We believe this is a response to last week's successful resistances, and see it as an aggressive, escalation tactic.

We know that the police read this website, and that they follow and monitor our activities. The Hackney Social Centre has only been open since February. And greedy property developers, hand in hand with the police, are trying to shut us down before we even really begin! Come on Monday, and be aware that a police presence is expected.

Read about the EVICTION THREAT on Indymedia: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/397037.html

THIS SATURDAY - BEHIND BARS QUEER DIY BENEFIT PARTY!

2008-04-17T07:23:00.000-07:00

Supporting the Boxgirls Womens' Self-Defense Project in Nairobi Kenya, come down to the Hackney Social Centre (10pm-8am!) for our second BEHIND BARS queer DIY benefit party! For more information about the Boxgirls project, visit www.boxgirls.de.

TUESDAY 15 APRIL - Vegan Soupkitchen!

2008-04-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

As every week, the cafe is open @ the Hackney Social Ctr this Tuesday Night from 6:30 onwards. Come by and enjoy a free vegan dinner after a busy weekend, and a follow-up to the Days of Action with a series of short documentaries about squatting and housing issues across Europe.

Days of Action for Squats and Autonomous Spaces!

2008-04-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

TOMORROW, 8pm at the Hackney Social Centre we'll be celebrating the vibrance, diversity, and strength of our evolving autonomous communities in London and across Europe, with a BENEFIT PARTY FOR ASS (the Advisory Service for Squatters). Come early for a free vegan dinner!

Events for the DAYS OF ACTION are kicking off today, and carrying on all weekend at a number of squats and autonomous spaces across London!

The themes for the weekend's Space Is the Place events are: the current housing crisis affecting the most disadvantaged, the appropriation of public space by big business through privatisation and speculation (PFIs etc), the sell-off of council housing, the Olympics in 2012 and the ruin of the Lea Valley at the tax-payers' expense, social centres, squats, etc; free spaces, the mismanagement of land and its ownership by the wealthy elite...

Weekend Schedule:

FRIDAY 11th

7pm @rampART Social Centre (yes, it’s still open!): Free Spaces info night and social meet up with cafe, films, talks, stalls, music. More info at http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/396086.html

8pm @NOID Gallery: acoustic bands and performance

SATURDAY 12th

12noon @Alexandra Court Hostel enroute to Hackney Town Hall: Demonstrate for clean, safe homes! Called by London Coalition Against Poverty (LCAP)Meet Sat 12th April at 12.30pm, Alexandra Court Hostel, Belgrade Road, Hackney to march to Hackney Town Hall on Mare St.

10am-7pm @New Shoreditch Squat: Squatters Estate Agency, Art Exhibition, Films, Stalls, Workshops and discussion, Freeshop. There will be practical workshops on setting up a squat, ASS workshop, social centre eviction support, setting up a squat garden (weather permitting), bike maintenance and more..

8pm @Hackney Social Centre: Benefit gig for the Advisory Service for Squatters. Bands, stalls, vegan dinner.More info http://hackneysocialcentre.blogspot.com/

SUNDAY 13th

10am-7pm @New Shoreditch Squat: Squatters Estate Agency, Art Exhibition, Films, Stalls, Workshops and discussion

Other happenings

Sat 11th : @ Womynspace. Drag workshops during the day and drag party from 9pm till late. Women only.

Sat 11th : 7pm - 11:30pm Earth Circus Climate 4 Change Cabaret @ Circle Community

Venue details

Hackney Social Centre : 231 Lower Clapton Road, E5 8EG - http://hackneysocialcentre.blogspot.com/

New Shoreditch Squat : Bowl Court off Plough Yard, by Drunken Munkey at junction of Shoreditch High Street and Great Eastern Street - http://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/04/396084.html

rampART social centre : 15 Rampart St (off Commercial Road) E1 2LA - http://www.rampart.co.nr/

NOID gallery : 26 Calvert Ave, London E2 7JP - http://www.noidgallery.net/

Womynspace : 4a Corbridge Crescent, E2 - http://womynspace.blogspot.com/

Circle Community : The Old Mercedes Showroom 341 Finchley Rd - http://circlecommunity.org/

Visit http://april2008.squat.net/ for breaking news on april2008 Days of Action related events as they unfold over the next few days, providing short accounts on what’s going on across Europe and links to more detailed information when available

See http://www.squatter.org.uk/ for information on the Advisory Service for Squatters located in Whitechapel, London. The Advisory Service For Squatters is an UNPAID collective of workers who have been running a daily advice service for squatters and homeless people since 1975. It grew out of the former Family Squatters Advisory Service, which was founded in the late 1960s. ASS publishes The squatters Handbook, the twelfth edition of which is the current one, and has sold in excess of 150,000 copies since 1976.

Saturday, 5th April, House of Radical Pranksterz presents: We love Palestine!

2008-04-02T09:58:00.000-07:00

Benefit party for 'Picture Balata'.

Outside the West Bank City of Nablus lies the Balata Refugee Camp. Established in 1951, Balata and the dozens other camps in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan were supposed to be a temporary solution for the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who were driven from their homes during the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

Nearly six decades later, Balata is home to almost 25,000 residents living on less than one square kilometer - the most densely populated refugee camp within the West Bank. In recent years, Balata has seen hundreds of deaths and arrests, dozens of home demolitions and the camp is subject to near-nightly invasions by the Israeli Army. It is here the Picture Balata workshop was started to teach youth from the camp about photography.

Picture Balata puts the camera into the hands of the children born and raised inside the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Participants ranging from ages 11 to 18 photgraph their situation as they live it in Balata Refugee Camp.

Behind Bars - March 29 - Benefit for International Union of Sexworkers

2008-03-24T11:43:00.001-07:00

Tuesday March 25th - Vegan Soup Kitchen and "Scenes of Resistance" Film Screenings!

2008-03-24T11:36:00.000-07:00

6:30pm - Vegan Soupkitchen - pop up for a tasty vegan dinner!

And as always, every Tuesday we have films, short documentaries, and video clips organized around different themes. Our calendar for the next three weeks:

25th March: Segregation and Rage in the Suburbs

"La Haine" - a 1995 French film from Director M Kassovitz. From Wikipedia: "The film tells the story of three friends in a multi-ethnic housing project in the aftermath of a riot against the police."

1st April: State Surveillance and Repression

"Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion" - a 1970 Italian film from director Director E Petri. From Wikipedia: "a dramatic, psychological, black-humoured satire on corruption in high office, telling the story of a top police officer who kills his lover and then tests whether the police would accuse him for this."

8th April: The Ethic (of) Revolution

"A Fistful of Dynamite" - a 1971 Italian film from Director Sergio Leone. From Wikipedia: "Its plot is centered on two individuals, a poor Mexican bandit and an ex-Irish Republican Army revolutionary, who meet during the turbulent Mexican Revolution"

Come!

Saturday 22nd March, Free Drama Workshop

2008-03-19T18:03:00.001-07:00

Saturday, 22nd March, The 2012 Show!

2008-03-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

A Fun-Raiser for The Hackney Social Centre.
The 2012 Show will be arriving on Sat 22nd March with its Conscious Carnival to raise the fun required for the on going success and development of The New Hackney Social Centre Project.

Confirmed so far for your enjoyment and conscious bubbling properties :

The Monday Love Cinema Room

'No Volverán - The Venezuelan Revolution Now'
'traveling deep into the shanty towns (barrios), and to several factories under workers' control, to find out why there is a movement to over-through Capitalism, what Socialism of the 21st Century is, and how it is changing people's lives.'
Presented by Hands of Venezuela with updated info in current situation.
http://www.handsoffvenezuela.org/venezuela_dvd_no_volveran.htm

'Arundhati Roys WE'
'fast-paced 64 minute documentary that covers the world politics of power, war, corporations, deception and exploitation.'
http://www.weroy.org/

'Salt of The Earth' - 1953
'This film was written, directed and produced by members of the original "Hollywood Ten," who were blacklisted for refusing to answer Congressional inquiries on First Amendment grounds'
http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/salt.html

'Reclaim Love 5'
'Oil and Gas are not the most important resourceas on the planet, the most important resource is love.'
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/london/2008/02/392220.html

DJs:
Resonance Radio
SmallMoney

Live music from:
Oystar Band
Milly Moonstone - "World Pop"
Rhythms of Resistance Samba Band
http://www.myspace.com/oystar
http://www.myspace.com/millimoonstone
http://www.rhythmsofresistance.co.uk/

Vegan Food

8pm 'till you leave or we kick you out!

Friday, 14th March, No Borders infonight!

2008-03-12T10:54:00.000-07:00

NO BORDERS

ACTIVE SOLIDARITY
RESISTING IMMIGRATION CONTROLS
WHAT WAY FORWARD?

from 6.30pm:
Talks, films and workshops by no borders activists, migrants and asylum seekers, followed by an open discussion.

Showing: Underground Londoners = a film on the struggle of the London cleaners for better conditions
After Sangatte = from Calais, where migrants are forced to starve and sleep rough after the closure of the Red Cross centre
Divide and Fall = No Borders camp at Gatwick 2007
Real Harm = No Borders noise demo at Harmondsworth detention centre 2007
The early bird catches the firm = stopping dawn raids in Scotland
and more!

Bands, singers/songwriters and Djs
from 9.30 pm

Confirmed so far:
52 Commercial Road
Camilla Cancantata
The Carbon Town Cryer

Vegan food by the social centre

donations welcome

Saturday, March 15th, Benefit Night for Oaxaca

2008-03-07T08:45:00.001-08:00

Benefit night for indigenous community in Oaxaca (Mexico) being under threat from silver mining.

Five bands, DJ’s, vegan food and goodies.

March 11th, Vegan Soupkitchen + 'Scenes of Resistance' film screenings

2008-03-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

6:30pm - Vegan Soupkitchen - pop up for a tasty vegan dinner!

7:30pm - Scenes of Resistance - film screenings

Jean Vigo's 'Zero de Conduite' is a 1933 film by French film director Jean Vigo. The film draws extensively on Vigo's boarding school experiences to depict a repressive and institutionalised educational establishment in which surreal acts of rebellion occur. The title refers to a mark the boys would get which prevented from going out on Sundays. It was subsequently banned in France until February 15, 1946.

'Weather Underground' - documentary about Weather Underground Organization, violent U.S. Radical Left group consisting of splintered-off members and leaders of the Students for a Democratic Society which formed on the campus on the University of Michigan in the 1960s. The group referred to itself as a revolutionary organization of men and women whose purpose was to carry out a series of attacks that would achieve the revolutionary overthrow of the Government of the United States.

Come!

Sunday, March 9th, Feminist Gathering

2008-03-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

Building on the energy of International Women’s Day 2008, we are bringing together feminists from many backgrounds and political positions for one exciting and thought-provoking day of workshops, discussions and network building.

FEMINIST GATHERING:
Sunday 9th March

12:00-1:00pm
1) Fem/mes talk: consciousness- raising and coffee session
2) Open discussion on feminist childrearing
3) Feminist and queer movements in Belarus

1:15-2:15pm
1) Sex workers and feminists: why they need each other
2) Women seeking asylum
3) Women’s self-defense

2:30-3:30pm
1) Sex traf?cking: myths, migrant sex workers and labour rights
2) Consent and community response to sexual assault
3) ‘Women of the Book who Go by the Name Feminists’
(for women who self- identify as religious and feminists)

3:45-4:45pm
1) F-T-eminism: workshop on feminism for male-identi?ed
trans people
2) Feminist erotic media and diy porn
3) Abortion rights: defending and extending reproductive
freedoms

5:00-6:00pm
1) Slut/Goddess pleasure activism
2) Negotiating safer sex
3) Solidarity between trans and feminist movements

Contact us: 9thmarch@lists. riseup.net
www.myspace. com/march9thlond on

Activities throughout the day:
Bike Repair
Luxury massage corner

Films:
6:30-8:00pm
Eve Ensler’s ‘Until the Violence Stops’
Marie Vermeiren’s ?lm on the stop rape paper bag project.

Creche: There will be a creche provided so contact us if you will need places.

The day is open to all genders and sexualities although some workshops may be for specific groups only: for example, women or trans only.

The venue is a squatted building, therefore although wheelchairs can access the space, facilities are limited and many areas are not child-friendly.

TODAY! Vegan Cafe! (+ PUNK GIGS COMING UP!)

2008-03-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

Tonight, come down for a Vegan Cafe and Film Night!
6:30 pm

Creative happenings at the social centre

2008-02-24T06:23:00.000-08:00

Hey all! This week's bursting with creativity at the Social Centre! This Monday (as every week) we have a Grafitti workshop from 7pm-9pm (bring paint, brushes, cardboard, tape, any tools and supplies and ideas you have! we have some things ready for you, but the more the better!) - any ways of visual expression within our space welcome.

Then on Tuesday there's a Benefit dinner and Jam Session for Titnore Woods (the protest camp near Brighton which had its solar panels stolen last week!)
and (weekly) language lessons (if You want to share some language skills or learn a language - even have a taste of it - come). This week we have Spanish (ab. 6 pm), English (6.30), Hungarian and Gaelic (between 7 and 8), including Polish (or Slavic) trad. cooking lesson (3.30-6 pm).

Wednesday we have 'to do' day when everyone who wants to help out with day to day jobs in the social centre can come and ...do that (in cheerful, communal way) - 2-6 pm ('to do' contact # 077 689 111 67).

Friday follows with TONGUES ON FIRE!:

- SkipMistress Cafe invites - if you want to be a part of it (make Your own delicious food or just help out) give a shout (# 077 689 111 67)
/it is donations based cafe and all the proceedings go usually for the Soc. Cntr. maintenance/

- and Open Mic night (bring poetry! instruments! friends!). That night we'll also open our Photoexhibition of International Squats! (bring your own). Everyday this week we'll be collecting photos for the exhibition - bring your pictures of squats new and old, from far and wide, anyday from 5pm-9pm. All photos will be included and on display in the cafe!

Finally, Saturday we'll be gathering for a 24 hour playwriting festival! The theme is RESISTANCE! and in a 24-hr play/song/poem-writing marathon we'll compile a series of one-act plays, ballads, poems, etc. into a zine and get ready to perform them at a later date (TBA).

THIS FRIDAY at the Hackney Social Centre!

2008-02-21T05:06:00.001-08:00

Calendar of Events

2008-02-18T12:33:00.000-08:00

wednesday 20
5pm-7pm: Free School
Practical Electricty! - bring papers and pens
7pm-9pm: Scenes of Resistance (Movie Night)
Battle of Algiers + discussion about strategies of resistance

friday 22
7:30pm-midnight: TONGUES ON FIRE!
Cafe and Open Mic - Music, Poetry! All are welcome! Bring friends, writing, instruments!

monday 25
5pm-7pm: Activist Self-Defense
7pm-9pm: Graffiti Workshop

tuesday 26
5pm-9pm Benefit Dinner and Jam Session!
Benefit for Titinore Woods protest site

wednesday 27
2pm-6pm: "To Do" Day - Come help fix up your social centre! Learn handy plumbing, electricity, and other skills while helping repair and maintain London's newest autonomous zone!
7pm-9pm: Free School

friday 29
7:30pm-midnight: TONGUES ON FIRE!
Cafe and Open Mic - Music, Poetry! All are welcome! Bring friends, writing, instruments!
Opening of Photoexhibition of International Squats!

saturday march 1st
11am - 24 hour Playwriting Festival!
Calling all artists, writers, actors! In 24hours we'll get together and produce as many one-act plays as possible, around the theme of "resistance" - completed plays will be printed together in a zine and performed Thursday March 6th!

sunday march 9th
DIY Feminist Meeting (tentative - check back later)

Hackney Social Centre Opens!

2008-02-16T05:25:00.001-08:00

After three weeks of resisting illegal forcible evictions, the Hackney Social Centre opened last night for an evening of food, music, films - including one, Trainsquatting, about squatters and resistance to evictions in Slovenia.

The social centre grew out of meetings through the Northeast Squatters Network, which seeks to strengthen solidarity and skill-sharing locally between the squats in north-east London. It is a non-commercial social space and plans to be home to activities such as free language lessons, a donations-only cafe, a free shop, meetings of local groups, skill-share sessions and a bike workshop.

General Meetings for the social centre are open to the public, and begin this Sunday, February 17th, at 3pm. Anyone interested in getting involved, or learning more, is welcome. The social centre is located at 231 Lower Clapton Road, in Hackney. Some photos (courtesy of Endo) are included above.

2008-02-12T05:49:00.001-08:00

!! OPENING !! (finally...!!)

2008-02-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

After weeks of resisting forcible evictions we're ready to open!
Come by for a potluck dinner + movie + music. FREE!
Come support the city's newest social centre and the future of autonomous spaces in London!

FEBRUARY 14th
6pm - midnight
231 Lower Clapton Road, Hackney (go around the back and ring the bell!)
(at the last stop of the 38 bus route)

FREE! (bring extra skipped food, music, friends)

Upcoming Events

2008-02-01T01:41:00.001-08:00

Saturday 2nd February at 2pm
London Social Centre meeting

Sunday 3rd February at 6.30pm
North East Network meeting

Photos from the Police Attack

2008-01-30T12:44:00.001-08:00

New Social Centre Under Seige!

2008-01-30T12:05:00.000-08:00

After four weeks in the building we were shocked by two sets of violent attacks - first by purported representatives of Howun Estates Ltd (the company the owns the property) and then by the Hackney Metropolitain Police! The attacks of last week (on the 22nd and 23rd of January) definitely shook the building and its occupants, but have only left us more convicted and committed. Within 11minutes of the first attack nearly 30 members of the local activist community had arrived on the premises. Our network is strong, and we look forward to many many days exploring the potential and possibilities of Hackney's newest autonomous zone. See our article on indymedia for more details about the attacks: (http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2008/01/390114.html?c=on#c188332)