File spoon-archives/marxism-international.archive/marxism-international_1997/97-02-25.170, message 99


From: dr.bedggood-AT-auckland.ac.nz
Date: Wed, 26 Feb 1997 00:21:00 +0000
Subject: Re: M-I: Re: Politics, Please 


> Date:          Tue, 25 Feb 1997 05:28:23 -0500 (EST)
> From:          Gerald Levy <glevy-AT-pratt.edu>
> To:            marxism-international-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU
> Cc:            marxism-international-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU
> Subject:       M-I: Re: Politics, Please 
> Reply-to:      marxism-international-AT-jefferson.village.Virginia.EDU

> LNP wrote:
> 
> > I wasn't questioning your involvement with the squatters, dear chap.
> 
> This is what you wrote previously:
> 
> > Less time spent in the squats of morons with Mohawk hairdos and more
> > time at the library would do you a little good, wouldn't it?
> 
> These "morons", as you call them, are under attack by the state and real
> estate developers.
> 
> Last week, there was a fire at the 5th Street squat. Although the building
> was safe, the squatters were told that they would be evicted the next
> morning but that they could get their possessions out of the squat first.
> Funny huh?
> 
> The next morning the squatters weren't allowed into the building and the
> riot cops cordoned off the block. A wrecking ball truck was brought in to
> demolish the building quickly since the squatters' attorney was in court
> to obtain a restraining order. Better act quickly before some judge stops
> you. Funny, huh?
> 
> A squatter went into the building anyway and the cops went in to flush him
> out. When they couldn't, they ordered the demolition to begin anyway.
> While the person was still in the building, the wrecking ball hit
> and the walls shook and the stairs that he was standing on trembled.
> What's the life of one squatter worth anyway in relation to the greater
> glory of gentrification? Funny, huh?
> 
> As the building collapsed a number of dogs and cats owned by the
> squatters were buried alive. Funny, huh?
> 
> Within hours, the whole building was demolished and only a vacant lot
> remained. Word _then_ came that a judge had issued a restraining order.
> Funny, huh?
> 
> Lead and asbestos dust was spread over the whole block and the adjoining
> building almost collapsed as well. Well, who cares about the health of
> low-income renters, right? Funny, huh?
> 
> A demonstration of about 100 community residents, sponsored by the 5th
> Street Block Association, protested the City's action later that week.
> Representatives of "Marxist" groups were nowhere to be found. Funny, huh?
> 
> What became of the 5th Street squatters? Some are crowded into other
> squats and some are now homeless. Funny, huh?
> 
> When all this was going down, I was there supporting the squatters and you
> were enjoying your vacation. Funny, huh?
> 
> To you, politics is a game. Everything is a "joke" to you. No matter that
> there are lives at stake. No matter that more young people are homeless.
> 
> You're right -- I shouldn't waste my time arguing with you. You're not
> worth it.
> 
> Jerry




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