At 9:30am the first few supporters started arriving outside, while some squatters took to the peak of the roof. The outside had been barricaded with furniture, gas bottles, compressed air canisters and a piano, while the inside was  well secured. A ‘Fire 2 the prisons’ banner had also been dropped from the windows the night before, during significant disturbances within Cardiff prison over the road.

Four police officers from Roath arrived warning the resisters that possessions used to barricade would be cleared away by the council, stating ‘Your rubbish makes Roath look poor’, even though the squat is in Adamsdown, but otherwise ignored the situation and promptly left.  At this point neighbouring prisoners began shouting  in support  of the squatters and against the cops.

The rest of the day was spent receiving strong support from, passersby and locals, particularly in the neighbouring Adamscourt, also owned by United Welsh Housing Association. While supporters continued to play piano and eat the skipped bakery goods from the night before.

Prison squat has been lived in for 3 weeks, and has hosted an anti-fascist benefit gig, No Borders film screening, prisoner letter writing, as well as other events. United Welsh plan to demolish the building. This work is to start no sooner than February 2014, in order to build 49 1 to 2 bedroom flats for ‘vulnerable people’, whilst denying the Adamscourt residents access to communal greenland in the process. Attempts from squatters to negotiate with owners have repeatedly failed.

South Wales Echo article – http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/masked-squatters-barricade-themselves-inside-5680263

From Red & Black Umbrella:

On saturday the 13th of july, cardiff abc has organised a one day anti-prison event at the red and black umbrella. The event aims at creating a wider awareness and critique of the ever expanding prison society and people’s struggles against it.

The event will run from 1-11 and is split into two distinct parts.

From 1-6 there will be space for meetings, discussions, talks, workshops and skillshares, for the most part the discussions will be relatively informal and structureless so as to not stifle creativity and originality. We are asking attendees to not bring alcohol to this portion of the event
to discourage all day drinking and encourage clear, sober and respectful interaction.

From 6-11(ish) there will be a variety of music and poetry being
performed. There is a suggested donation of £5 for this portion of the
event with any excess after costs going to cardiff abc to distribute to
various prisoners/defendants that we are in contact with (for more info on
this just ask.)

There will be hot vegan food available from the beginning of the event, as
well as a variety of relevant zines; all for donation.

Hope to see you there.

Cardiff Anarchist Black Cross (ABC)

Email: cardiff_abc@riseup.net
Website: http://www.abccardiff.wordpress.com
Postal: Cardiff ABC, c/o Red & Black Umbrella, 57-58 Clifton St, Adamsdown, Cardiff, Wales, CF24 1LS.

http://abccardiff.wordpress.com/