(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #242 - Concrete solidarity: La Cantine is not dead (fr, pt)

[machine translation]

Self-managed space of convergence of struggles and usability, Canteen Pyrenees in Paris 
was expelled. Proof that class solidarity scares dominant. Back on that experience still 
has a future. ---- Monday, August 11 in the morning, the Cantine des Pyrenees was expelled 
in the twentieth district emptied of many of its inhabitants during the holidays. The six 
people who were staying there were trips, seeing some crazy offer emergency shelter 
solutions, completely unsuited to their situations, and far from the neighborhood (but who 
does not dream of a night in a reception center Nanterre?). ---- Like Mirrors, historical 
squat evicted in July, the place was walled without the few present could do much. La 
Cantine, what was it? A dwelling place for a handful of poorly-housed-es, a cheap canteen, 
and above all a place of convergence of struggles and local solidarity against the 
concrete machine gentrify what the mayor of the twentieth arrondissement. There was room 
(and good things!) For everyone, administrative support for those in need, French lessons, 
and fun times. The group did live happily self-management and proposed a space 
emancipation and solidarity for two years, the heart of a neighborhood where social ties 
are maintained and where local struggles meet. A true spirit of openness reigned person 
remained at the margin, and mixed impressed those who passed the door. Libertarian 
Alternative benefited too, when we were able to organize a meal support for comrades 
charged last spring.

Going against the current logic of the institution

Obviously, this type of business is not too pleased to managers of public space: 
anti-capitalist, self-management (! Even antigestionnaires) practices go completely 
against the grain of the logic of the institution, which is essentially the recovery 
militant local initiatives to deprive them of all political potential, and as a tool in 
the service of the order. Everyone was put there: cops, Urssaf, hygiene passed 
successively, and the owner ended up getting the expulsion order after two trials.

While some attacks were frontal Frederique Calandra, the socialist mayor of the twentieth, 
has tacked: when the place became deportable, she claimed to support the group in search 
of a sustainable community. Broken promise, past municipal elections since once it has 
completely lost interest in the fate of the Canteen. The class is open to any possibility 
of finding a local, was ready to negotiate a rent - small - and repeatedly proposed 
housing solutions for residents and inhabitants and activities, which are then discarded 
views completely ignored. This position of the mayor - support shown but without any 
concrete action - is handy to shirk expel leave the place.

This expulsion will not be enough to end collective projects, but it needs the widest 
possible to continue support. Meals are always organized, free prices, every Saturday at 
noon for an indefinite period at the moment. The opportunity for around a good meal, 
continue to share, help each other, and sing: "All this does not, Calandra, the canteen is 
not dead! "

Clem (AL Paris Northeast)