18.07.2008
The Tent City Occupation of Wembley Sports Ground was evicted this morning at 7.30am (report to follow). Hank Roberts — Brent Secretary of the NUT and ATL — had to be removed from the roof of the Community Centre on the site, where he had d‑locked himself to a flagpole. Specialist baliffs had to use an angle-grinder to seperate him from the pole. Supporters gathered in front of the gate to the carpark; as he was removed from the site, he was bestowed with rapturous applause for his brave stand.
Campaigners (& Hank himself) were surprised to observe that he was not arrested for breach of the injunction — served on Tuesday. Hank Roberts still has to pay an otstanding fee of £3,500 to Willesden County Court.
The fight to stop the Academy getting planning permission continues, even though plans to build the ‘pre-academy’ for an initial 200 primary-school pupils in portocabins on the site will now proceed. The fight to guarantee local affordable access for the local kids to the recreation ground and football pitches continues alongside this aim to stop the academy being built, whether the latter goal will be acheived or not.
Other info:
Gallery
http://www.tentcityoccupation.co.uk/gallery.html
ITV London Tonight Report:
http://www.itvlocal.com/london/news/?player=LON_News_15&void=204972
Save Our Schools 22-minute film available on Reel News issue 13
Stop them Privatising Our Schools available on Reel News issue 12
Wembley Occupation available on Reel News issue 10
http://www.reelnews.co.uk/
Some previous posts for further information:
200 School Pupils In Huts On A Construction Site:
http://jasonnparkinson.blogspot.com/2008/06/200-school-pupils-in-huts-on.html