benefit screening of 5 1/2 roofs, Dalston RIO, 25NOV06

Sat 25 Nov 11.15pm
Late night benefit screening

'Save the Spirit of Broadway Market'

5 1/2 ROOFS (15)
UK 2006 dir. Sepp R Brudermann 84m

According to Section 6 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 the occupation of empty property in the UK is not illegal. In London there are more than 13.000 people living in squats. These are 6 episodes of 6 different London based squats and their inhabitants. 6 stories of life in the city, stories of struggle, celebration, creativity, resignation, fear and hope. The final episode concerns the struggles and occupations in Broadway Market.

"A compelling look at a layer of our urban community which is rarely seen" (Raindance Film Festival)
"Fresh and beguiling" (R. Thompson, BBC Storyville)

+ speakers

Tickets £6.50/£5 Concs (available in advance or on the door)

Background information:
A campaign has been running in Broadway Market, London E8 for the past twelve months in support of two particular leaseholders who operated businesses in Broadway Market and who were tenants of Hackney Council until the properties were sold to offshore property developers in 2001/2. These cases are also linked to an on-going campaign to protect buildings in Dalston Lane, London E8. The issues surrounding these cases gained worldwide press and media coverage last Christmas and New Year and led to an investigation by the Fraud Squad and the L. B. Hackney Audit and Anti-Fraud Division, culminating in an internal enquiry before the L. B. Hackney Governance and Resources Scrutiny Committee in March/April this year. The findings of that report go before Hackney's Mayor and Cabinet on 27 November. The enquiries came about as a result of the widely publicised occupation of Francesca's café at 34 Broadway Market and publicity relating to Lowell 'Spirit' Grant who runs a Caribbean fresh fish, fruit and veg shop at 71 Broadway Market. Spirit is still facing eviction, although a significant campaign has been launched to clear outstanding rent arrears whilst the Courts determine his legal status. There is to be a hearing at the Court of Appeal on 5 or 6 December 2006 and his lawyers are increasingly optimistic.