The Post Bag: Letters To Squall

Solidarity - The Key

Squall 9, Jan/Feb 1995, pg. 46.

Dear Squall,

I've read issue 8, sent to me by a British friend. I'm not a squatter or traveller myself (maybe in the future) but I'm more or less an anarchist and very interested in the squatter / traveller movement. My experience of squats in England has always been positive. The first time I came to England I made contact with comrades in a squat in Oxford, it was three years ago and the people I met there are among my dearest friends.

I came to London last October for the Anarchy in the UK festival and slept at Claremont Road; a lovely place, friendly people, really open and hearty. And such a place is to be demolished to build a motorway!

There is a squatter's movement in Italy, Though a bit different. Basically squatting for housing is less widespread, while there are lots of squats used as social and political initiative centres - the so-called ‘social centres'.

I find this kind of lifestyle a real creative experiment for a different society, a different way of life, different human relationships. Living without property and against property as the ‘right' to own.; experimenting 'in the field' ideals of solidarity and justice .... Well, what more could I say? Thank you for existing.

Love and solidarity, no retreat, no surrender,

Cati,

Forli, Italy.