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> Many squatters are ideologically driven and improve the neighbourhoods they're squatting in. Says who ? Not that I don't believe you or that I believe it's f

> Many squatters are ideologically driven and improve the neighbourhoods they're squatting in. Says who ? Not that I don't believe you or that I believe it's false but are there more than one account of that happening ?

mcv 8y ago
Yes there is, and it's fairly common as far as I can tell, but it's not universal. Roughly speaking, my impression at the time is that there are roughly three different types of squatters: * Opportunistic squatters: they simply need a place to live, would like it to be nice and cheap, but don't have the time or dedication for any sort of activism. Mostly students and young unemployed people. Artists possibly, though they can also fall in the next group. * Ideological squatters: they have political opinions about housing policy. They tend to know the law, but may also disagree with it. Likely to organise information meetings, protests, but also provide services like community centers or soup kitchens. Tend to take good care of their squats in order to show this can work, but the more militant type may organise riots. Amsterdam had a lot of "krakerrellen" (squatter riots) in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but that hasn't really happened since the situation got normalised. Though there has been the occasional evacuation where quatters had to be forced out. They usually leave of their own accord and obey court orders, though. * Criminal squatters: don't care about the law, or may be very aware that they're breaking it. Probably doesn't care about the state of the house. Possibly involved in various crimes. I'm not aware of real criminal squatters in Amsterdam; crime happens more on the real estate owners side: lots of organised crime in Amsterdam is involves in the real estate business. That said, I imagine militant anarchists may also cross over from ideological to criminal squatters. And of course this is the group most likely to keep a low profile. There's grey areas between all of them of course.

mcv 8y ago

Yes there is, and it's fairly common as far as I can tell, but it's not universal. Roughly speaking, my impression at the time is that there are roughly three different types of squatters: * Opportunistic squatters: they simply need a place to live, would like it to be nice and cheap, but don't have the time or dedication for any sort of activism. Mostly students and young unemployed people. Artists possibly, though they can also fall in the next group. * Ideological squatters: they have political opinions about housing policy. They tend to know the law, but may also disagree with it. Likely to organise information meetings, protests, but also provide services like community centers or soup kitchens. Tend to take good care of their squats in order to show this can work, but the more militant type may organise riots. Amsterdam had a lot of "krakerrellen" (squatter riots) in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but that hasn't really happened since the situation got normalised. Though there has been the occasional evacuation where quatters had to be forced out. They usually leave of their own accord and obey court orders, though. * Criminal squatters: don't care about the law, or may be very aware that they're breaking it. Probably doesn't care about the state of the house. Possibly involved in various crimes. I'm not aware of real criminal squatters in Amsterdam; crime happens more on the real estate owners side: lots of organised crime in Amsterdam is involves in the real estate business. That said, I imagine militant anarchists may also cross over from ideological to criminal squatters. And of course this is the group most likely to keep a low profile. There's grey areas between all of them of course.