Broadway Market

Most people in Hackney have heard about the protests going on in Broadway Market over the last three months. Since November members of the local community have been occupying Francesca's Cafe and held many protests and public meetings and generated nationwide interest in the campaign.

The Cafe was seized to prevent its demolition and conversion into luxury flats by property developer Dr Roger Wratten.

Updates and stories on libcom.org news

27 Mar: The battle of Broadway Market, from Hackney Independent

The following statement was posted on the campaign's website:

EVICTED - BUT THIS CAMPAIGN IS FAR FROM OVER

A street protest has been called at 6pm this evening in front of the café.

More info:
Broadway Markey occupation feature and updates on libcom.org news
http://libcom.org/news/article.php/broadway-market-cafe-occupation-2005-6
occupation homepage:
http://34broadwaymarket.omweb.org/

Spirit, who runs the Nutritious Food Gallery at no. 71 has a court date on 27th January and may be evicted soon after that.

A statement from the occupiers of 34 Broadway Market follows:

EVICTION THREAT

The cafe had been occupied by local residents for weeks, in protest against gentrification and the cut-price selling of publicly-owned property in the area to developers.

BBC London footage (AVI format, 6.7mb)

Bailiffs and builders trashed the cafe after they and police evicted the local campaigners before Christmas.

Within an hour the building was rendered unliveable.

One of the participants said:
"We lodged an appeal yesterday with the High Court but the bailiffs ignored that and went ahead anyway. Two of the occupiers are at the courts right now trying to get a stay of execution but Wratten's men have done so much damage that it seems unlikely we could re-occupy the café.

The occupation has received widespread press coverage, overwhelming local support and looks set to continue for some time. Hundreds of people have visited the café in the past 14 days bringing food, furniture and donations, over 60 people are on the shift rota and local residents associations have passed resolutions in favour of the occupation with offers of practical support.

The occupation made the front page of Hackney Gazette on Thursday, and has been covered by metamute in more depth, but needs much more publicity and practical support if it is going to continue for more than a few days.