UK: Social centre raided
01 March 2002
A squatted social centre, modelled on areas for social, cultural and entertainment activities that are widespread in Italy, was raided by police in Stoke Newington on 13 April. The operation against the "Radical Dairy" took place at 8am, when between 30 and 40 police officers (some in riot gear) drawn from seven vans blocked off the street and entered the premises. The alleged reason for the raid were two warrants: one issued under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and the other by the London Electricity Board (LEB). For over an hour police searched and filmed the premises, eventually leaving after seizing two computers without providing a receipt for the property. Police claimed that the computers were seized in order to prove that electricity was being used to secure a prosecution.
However, as with raids on Indymedia in Italy, extensive internet surveillance of activist websites (www.nodo50.org) and mailing lists by Spanish state agencies (see Statewatch news online February and March 2002), and threats and raids suffered by activists hosting websites (www.ourmayday.org.uk) concerning the "Mayday Festival of Alternatives" in the UK (see Statewatch news online March 2002) indicate, police forces increasingly view IT facilities as useful sources to get information about activists' contacts and activities.
In relation to the Misuse of Drugs Act, no arrests were made for drugs and occupants of the Radical Dairy claim that a notice at the entrance of the centre showed that contacts with LEB had been taking place, proving their intention to pay any bills and that an account was being set up. Nonetheless the road outside the centre was dug up and the electricity supply cut off. Occupants claim that they have been aware of monitoring by the police Forward Intelligence Team (FIT), and neighbours claimed that police asked them if they could place a camera in their house to monitor the centre opposite. Neighbours came out in support of the occupants, claiming that it was a "clear political intelligence operation" and an "openly political raid", and stressed, "the people here have been nothing but good for the local community".
The Radical Dairy has operated as a social centre for over three months, running a number of activities including English lessons for non-speakers, drama and singing workshops, DJ workshops for children, Shiatsu massages and political discussions. The centre has a library and participated in campaigns against the deportation of No-Border activist Nico Sguiglia from Spain (see Statewatch vol 12 no 1) and against the sell-off of public property by Hackney Council. In response to an article in a national newspapers that ominously referred to the Radical Dairy as a "North london safe-house", occupants stress that it is in fact an "open house" in which "people can come together to raise the standard and quality of life in their communities by themselves".
Radical Dairy press statement, 13.4.02; Hackney Gazette 18.4.02