This week 30 years ago: Angry demo after Kingsdown Road squatters evicted in Upper Holloway
Islington Gazette: December 23, 1987 - Credit: Archant
A mass eviction of squatters sparked an angry demonstration in Upper Holloway.
The Kingsdown Housing Co-op was furious after Islington Council made them homeless at Christmas.
They marched to their neighbourhood office in protest, but police were called and they were locked out.
The squatters had occupied 11 properties in Kingsdown Road and neighbouring streets since the summer.
Housing boss Cllr Maurice Barnes had no sympathy, though. “The point is, these people aren’t a co-op as the council recognises co-ops. They are squatters, nothing else.”
You may also want to watch:
But the group claimed it carried out repairs and only occupied the homes until Islington found permanent tenants. Some neighbours even supported the group and said they were part of the community.
Cllr Barnes countered: “If we didn’t evict them, we wouldn’t be doing our duty by the 10,000 people on our housing waiting list, the families in bed and breakfasts and the people who need urgent transfers.”
Most Read
- 1 Man wrestled to floor during attempted robbery in Finsbury Park
- 2 Old Street roundabout project moves into final phase
- 3 Arsenal fan's search for every Highbury Stadium match since 1940s
- 4 Man dies after collapsing in Islington
- 5 Residents' 'frustration' as Royal Mail works to deliver in lockdown
- 6 Highbury woman launches pen pal initiative to fight lockdown loneliness
- 7 Tributes paid to Islington student fatally stabbed in Tottenham
- 8 Designated Covid care setting celebrates intervention on insurance issues
- 9 Teaching mentor comes 'full circle' working at Islington school
- 10 Thames Water faces councillors’ anger over billing changes for tenants
