Court case won by former Friern Barnet Library activists against Enfield council

Court case won by former Friern Barnet Library activists



The Friern Barnet Library Activists have moved on to a new project in Enfield Borough in an attempt to fight austerity, homelessness and unjust squatting laws.

The community activists who were previously caretakers of the Friern Barnet Library, are now residing at the Arnos Family Resource Centre (ARC). They won their court case against Enfield Council on the 11th of March 2013 at the Barnet County Court.

Many of the activists arrived at court to defend the case being brought forward by Enfield Council for possession of the property. They were accompanied by several members of the Friern Barnet community who also sent over 20 letters of support.

The judge threw out the case because Enfield’s barrister missed the court hearing. The judge also commented there were procedural errors with Enfield Council’s paperwork.

This means that the activists are to remain in the space, giving them the opportunity to provide community workshops, and more time to negotiate a deal with the council preventing more taxpayer’s money being squandered. Pete phoenix, a veteran community organiser and part of the FB Library campaign/Occupy movement, said:

“We have constantly offered to negotiate with Enfield Council as we did with Barnet Council. We hope that money can be saved on costly court cases and that more arrangements for temporary use can be made, between property owners of some of the 1.4 million empty buildings in the UK and groups who need homes and community space. The new law on squatting has already led to people freezing to death this winter. We want solutions to the housing crisis. Homes for all, not jails!”

The community activists are using the former family resource centre to provide activities such as skill-sharing and workshops with a focus on health, art and education. It has been opened to the community to provide a place for different community groups to come and use.

The activists are hoping to form a mutual agreement with the council to keep the building accessible for the use of the community.