United action by London squatters and tenants over the last few weeks has raised the possibility of winning active support from the trade union movement for struggles against property speculation.
Last week a series of pickets and meetings initiated jointly by squatters at 220 Camden High Street and Dover Street in Mayfair (properties owned by Joe Levy and Associates), culminated in a march to Downing Street, In an open letter to Harold Wilson, Labour MPsand Labour Councillors in Camden and Westminster they demanded that Labour: Reimpose the statutory obligation on Local authorities to house the homebess cost a comply prop any a toe the right of squatters to electricity, gas and water supplies, repeal the conspiracy laws, and release the Shrewsbury pickets and all those imprisoned under the laws.
Last week the shop stewards com mittee of the Strand McAlpines site wrote a letter of support to the Camden squatters. They are considering such action as blacking Levy 'development" sites.
Further support came from the chairman of Camden Tenants Foderation, who spoke at a public meeting in the Dover Street squat and suggested the calling of a broad-based conference of the labour movement to discuss the housing question. The All London Squatters' Federation meeting on Sunday backed this. as did the Secretary of Brent Trades Council, In the immediate future squatters and tenants are demanding an enquiry by the labour movement into the property speculation activities of Levy and his tront companies.
Coming actions include a picker of the High Court, Strund, at 10 am on Friday 5 April and a rally at 220 Camden High Street, NWI at 10 am on Saturduy 6 April. Messages and enquiries should be sent: c/o Student Community Housing, 13 Prince of Wales Crescent, NWI. Phone: 01-485 8213,