Four squatters in Valencia have been arrested and are on remand charged with serious offences including terrorism, in a situaiton of increased repression in Spain. The squatted social centre “Malas Pulgas” (Bad Fleas) was evicted two weeks ago as part of gentrification and speculation in Valencia. After the eviction four squatters have been charged with acts of sabotage on estate agents, but the charges include criminal damage, illicit association and terrorist aggression. The “illicit association” these four young people have been part of is the collective assembly of the squat, engaged in such violent and antisocial activities as organising cheap food, a gym and workshops for the neighbourhood. Their parents have said that during the raids of their houses, with a warrent for arms, the police treated them with aggression and contempt and did not search the whole house, indicating they were not really expecting to find arms. The lawyers have confirmed that the squatters have been beaten up in custody.
Yesterday (Saturday)there was a solidarity demonstration of two thousand people in Valencia, headed by the families and including busloads of squatters from Madrid and Barcelona. We in Britain need to support the prisoners and act against these fitups or we will be victims of this kind of repression too.

Millie