Important Extra-Legal Stuff
Although the law doesn’t grant squatters legal rights, there is still plenty that can be done to avoid or delay eviction.
Barricades
If a date has been set for eviction then barricading yourself in and refusing to leave is a tactic you can adopt. Physical resistance is common practice in countries that have large and defiant squatting movements, and is often used there to stall eviction for some time. In Australia, you will usually get thrown out after trying to resist. Physical resistance will generally attract a lot of attention, which can be a good thing, and give you a chance to voice your opinion in the media.
It can also be a good way of releasing some frustration and anger. It will piss off the police, which can be fun but dangerous: the NSW special police group and other specially trained paramilitary thugs have been used to remove squatters who physically resist. Waiting for eviction in these cases can be stressful, so be organised and prepared. Have a collection of things such as water bombs, flour bombs and rotten food to throw at the evictors. Also, have a supply of food and water stored (in case you succeed) and an escape route planned so you don’t get caught.
Good luck if you try but be well aware of the risks: almost certain arrest.
Media — Print/Television/Radio
One of the most important tools in avoiding or resisting eviction is the media. While discretion and invisibility can be the most useful tactics of successful squatting, there may come a time when you will benefit from making it all very visible. Tactical and well-timed use of the media can go a long way toward prolonging your stay in your squat come eviction time.
Public image is extremely important to governments and private companies, so organise events or stunts to get media exposure (and public support) for your squat and to highlight the nasty plans that the government or private owner has for it. The threat of media exposure can work to your advantage against an owner desperate to avoid tarnishing its public profile.
It’s worth having a camera in your squat, ready for use at any time. Whenever there is heated dialogue with the owners or police, having a camera — and the threat of exposure it carries — can go some way toward defusing a potentially violent situation. A tape recorder can also be useful. Pictures of angry and violent police can go down well in the visual media; sound recordings may work well on radio.
Squatters are usually represented in Australia as drug-addicted bludgers who make life difficult for everyone in the area except themselves. There are, however, a whole range of different images you can generate instead. Some of the most successful squats in Sydney, such as the Pyrmont squats of 1978–1993 and the Glebe Estate squats of 1984–1985, used the media to generate popular and political support and defer eviction.
Try to find some sympathetic journalists or freelance reporters in both the mainstream and alternative press, as well as radio or even television stations. Tell them you’re squatting and ask if they would like to run a story or cover the eviction. Be careful you do not disclose the location of your squat. Try to get a feel for the reporter’s personal view — meet with him or her and have a look at past articles he or she has written. Remember that many reporters are just interested in a sensational story and may try to ‘trick’ you into giving away information that they use for a story against you. Once you have found some trustworthy journalists, have their numbers handy so you can call them when you need them.
Press releases are an important first step in generating media interest. There are various internet sites that can tell you how to write a good press release and have ideas on how to best distribute your press release once you have written it. Also, get in contact with activists or organisations that have used the media effectively and ask for their media contacts and tips.
Getting in touch with sympathetic politicians may or may not be useful as well. While they will ultimately try to use the exposure you generate for their own political ends, they generally have a good media network of journalists and reporters you may be able to use to get your messages/images across.
Internet
The internet can be one of the most useful tools in generating support for your squat. Most public and university libraries have some kind of free internet access. Make yourself an email address on one of the scores of ‘free’ web-based email sites and use the links on the SHAC website to contact squatters’/activists’ groups across Australia and overseas for solidarity and support. In Sydney, c@talyst www.cat.org.au hosts a wide range of activist web sites and groups that may be worth contacting for support.
If you can get access to the internet, and have a little bit of time, then making your own website can be a good way of getting exposure, sharing information and generating support for your squat. There are plenty of website-building guides available on the internet.
Be aware that police intelligence units routinely monitor email communications with known activist groups for ‘security’ and ‘counter-terrorist’ surveillance purposes. But don’t let that stop you from using the internet as a communicative tool. Just make sure you give a false name and details when signing up for any free web-based email address.