(en) France, Alternative Libertaire AL #243 - Undocumented Bondy: Seven years of struggle for decent housing (fr, pt)

In Bondy, residents of clinical Michelet fought for seven years to get papers and decent 
housing. This struggle helped dispel the cynicism of a rich merchant of sleep. ---- In the 
abandoned clinic Michelet Bondy (93), the adventure of the collective struggle began seven 
years ago, in 2007, but the hassle of residents began much earlier, in late 2001-early 
2002, for oldest. It is indeed a few months after the cessation of activity of the clinic 
owner, anesthetist by profession, had the idea of renting lucrative, as such, the rooms of 
the clinic at an average price of 500 euros per month, to that was not to be housed 
elsewhere. Six years later, all the premises are occupied, the old morgue delivery rooms, 
through basements and other annexes, more than one hundred and fifty people, including 
sixty children. Residents are foreigners and half of them are undocumented. The support 
committee that is set up in September 2007 is impressive and wide but many of its members 
will soon very discreet, some caught in the contradictions of their municipal 
responsibilities (Hall PS), others quickly breathless by field work in progress. Remains 
quickly a handful of libertarian activists and Alternative Bondy otherwise municipal 
opposition left.

First the paper, then housing

The general assembly of the people decided to fight the battle in two stages: first the 
paper, then housing. Two years of mobilization will be needed to win the regularization of 
all. Then begin the struggle for housing in association with Right to Housing (DAL). The 
link with some militants Education Without Borders Network (RESF) and DAL will fruitful 
work with these associations to accompany the fight to the end.

A game of chess with three opponents

Residents and their supporters organize dozens of broadcasts leaflets, rallies outside the 
prefecture, appetizers and friendly meals to residents of this residential area. They 
harass politicians and personalities for their support, respond to moult interviews, open 
their home to cameras. For seven years, the class struggle has played a game of chess with 
three opponents: the owner, the prefecture and the municipality in various capacities 
since no negotiation with the owner was never considered. It is ubiquitous because he 
lives next to the clinic. It is procedural: regular courts (administrative proceedings, de 
grande instance), it uses each conviction concerning its activity merchant sleep, then 
appealed to the Supreme Court, and taking advantage of the slow pace of justice. After 
seven years of exemplary struggle by the people themselves, five different prefects (the 
background of changes in the majority) and two successive mayors, the case seems to find a 
way out. Two-thirds of residents are now relocated and the collective continues to ensure 
that all are.

Chloe (AL 93)