The Struggle for Ungdomshuset, the Youth House

UngdomshusetTimeline October ’82 To February ‘07

Intro

The following is a rough timeline of the history of Ungdomshuset (the Youth house) in Copenhagen. The focus is mainly on the final battle for the house which is still taking place in the time of writing. It is not a complete historical document of the house and the activities that has sprung from it, one could write a very thick book about that.

History of Ungdomshuset

Ungdomshuset, or Folkets Hus (The House of the People) as it was known as then, was built in the 1890’s by the local workers movement to function as a base in the struggle of social justice. The house was used as a place for meetings, rallies and a huge number of social events. Lenin and Rosa Luxenburg spoke here and Clara Zetkin announced the first International Women's Day (8 march) from the house in 1910.

In the 1950’s many labor unions built their own houses and the Folkets Hus was used for different purposes up until the early 1980’s, when it stood empty. In the 80’s, the squatter’s movement grew, and it was in this very house that the Initiative for a Youth’s House met and formed their demands for a house to the City Council. Within two years of massive actions, demo’s and house squatting, the City Council gave in and agreed to give Ungdomshuset to the movement. This was the autumn of 1982.

Since then the house has been the nerve center of the radical left/anarchist movement, as well as Copenhagen’s primary punk/underground music scene. Through the years, countless of groups, bands and people have used the house and it has been a constant thorn in the side of the city Council, the right wing and those who’d wish that all children were born strapped down in a suit and tie.

Poster from the opening party for Ungdomshuset 31 October 1982.

The front of Ungdomshuset

The back of the house

The large concert hall

Ungdomshuset is sold

In 1999, the Town Council decided to sell Ungdomshuset, thereby ignoring the contract from 1982 stating that the right of usage belongs the people of the house. No one dared to place a bid on the house at first and the Christian sect Faderhuset (the house of the father) was at first regarded as an unserious buyer (and unwanted because of their fundamentalist and half insane nature). Instead the house was sold to the brand new company Human A/S very cheaply and within a year Faderhuset bought the majority of shares in Human A/S and thereby became the legal owners of Ungdomshuset. The whole procedure stank of corridor talk and secret deals between the sect and the politicians.

ACTION!

In 1999, before, during and after the sale there was a myriad of actions and demonstrations from and in solidarity with Ungdomshuset. The national television (DR1) was squatted in the middle of prime time news, the city parliament was invaded, nude happenings where taking place where the bourgeois least wanted them, parts of Tivoli gardens was squatted, “reclaim the streets” was organized and a whole bunch of other things happened in this period.

Pirates from Ungdomshuset boards a commercial frigate in Tivoli gardens

To the masts!

The pirates have an unfortunate encounter with the royal Danish coppers in pink life vests (no style whatsoever of course).

Squatter action in the inner city (Daells varehus).

Nude demo in inner city

Demonstration december of 1999.

Demonstration in the summer of 99’ in front of city-hall.

The cops try to attack one of the black block demonstrations, are met with resistance, drives over one of their own colleagues (bottom right of the picture) and decides to pull back.

Faderhuset

“When we take over the house, they (the present users) will simply not be able to step through the doors, because the light of God will be too strong for them. The reason for this is that God is stronger than Satan”.

Ruth Evensen, priest in Faderhuset.

High priest Ruth Evensen

Faderhuset is an extremely fundamentalist Christian sect, which has about 120 members. They believe that they are Gods chosen (hence the name), that they have been given a mission to start a youth movement (and destroy another?) and that Jesus talks directly to them, through their high priest Ruth Evensen. These people are a part of a network of fundamentalist Christians all over the world and although they all fall into the category of “raving mad lunatics”, their dedication, money and absolute obedience to their insane leader, makes them a serious opponent.

Faderhuset and their guest preacher Moses Hansen marching through Nørrebro in 2002

Sect members chanting with Moses Hansen

Christian squatters

On New Years Eve of 2001, Faderhuset tried to do a bit of direct action and about 80 of them attempted to squat Ungdomshuset. They decided on this date because it was the date where they where supposed to take over the house if there had been no court case about ownership (which there was and it was already running at this time). In other words they said “to hell with the law, we’re moving in”. Now, amusingly, they use every opportunity to state that they believe in the justice system of Denmark and that we’re all obliged to live under the law. Hypocrites.

With the help of a locksmith they managed to get into the house and violently threw out the one person who was there at the time. Needless to say regular users of the house was mobilized within 10 minutes and managed to break down one of their own barricades (it has been reinforced since then) and swarmed into the house where the fundamentalist got a sound kicking before they and their belongings got thrown back out into the streets. Then the sect members pleaded with the police to make them evict the house immediately, but the cops declined their request, because the sect members were the ones who were illegally trespassing.

Sect member after 15 minutes as a squatter

Faderhuset has never been in doubt what kind of fight they would start by trying to take over Ungdomshuset. They have been asked nicely to stay away, and they have been told in less diplomatic terms also. During their ownership they’ve had their services squatted, their buildings redecorated and has even, as explained above had their asses kicked all over Ungdomshuset. But these people think that the users of Ungdomshuset are the spawn of Satan and that they are on a holy quest to rid the world of such evil. Ruth Evensen has said recently: “We’re fighting on behalf of the justice system. This country is in a state of turmoil, and not since the 2nd world war has the words “God save Denmark” been more relevant”.

Local Support

A myriad of groups to support Ungdomshuset has sprung up all over Copenhagen in the past year: “Citizens in support of Ungdomshuset”, “Parents for Ungdomshuset”, “Artists for Ungdomshuset” to name a few. More information on these groups can be found on www.jagtvej69.dk.

One group of supporters of decided to look into the possibility of trying to raise enough money to buy the house back from Faderhuset. They established the foundation called “Jagtvej 69” with this specific purpose. The Christians have turned down every offer, even 4 times the price they bought the house for.

The court case

Because the users of Ungdomshuset never had any intentions of leaving their beloved house in the hands of Ruth Evensen and her brainwashed followers, and there was still a contract on the house, the courts had to decide if we could actually be evicted. Faderhuset decided to sue four activists of the house who signed an agreement with the Town Council in 1997, they demanded the house and 800,000 DKK from the four people in compensation for not being able to use the house. The actual issue of the trial was whether the City Council could sell a house, to which the right of usage has already been given to someone else

On January 7th 2004 the verdict from City Court came, stating that Faderhuset was in their right to sue four activists rather than Ungdomshuset itself, since the house functions without a hierarchal management and are therefore not regarded as an organization. However, they denied Faderhuset the compensation.
Both sides appealed against the decision, Faderhuset demanding the compensation and Ungdomshuset demanding the future right of usage of the house. The 28th of August 2006 the National Court stated, exactly like City Court, that the right of ownership and usage to Ungdomshuset belongs to Faderhuset and that it is their right to order it evicted.

The community around Ungdomshuset was not surprised by the decision of the courts, even though it goes against the so called justice systems own rules and furthermore common sense. The case was never about contracts and compensations. It was about the right for anti-authoritarian, non conformist, free spaces to exist within a system that practices intolerance against minorities, terror fear and blind obedience. So of course it was a lost cause, but it bought us some time to prepare for the final battle, so…

Here we go again!

The 23rd of September 2006 the biggest demonstration ever for Ungdomshuset with more than 3000 people was completely ignored by the media. Not even a single picture made it to the papers or television.

The 24th of September there was arranged a reclaim the streets, this picture is taken before the police decided to ram the party with their armoured vehicles.

Reclaim the streets after the police decided to ram it with their armored vehicles. Contrary to the huge demonstration the day before, this demo was headline for several days in the media...

The Final Battle begins…

The court had ruled that the 14th of December should be the day for the Christian sect’s takeover of the house. Therefore Ungdomshuset decided to make 5 days of actions, concerts and demonstrations in this time. Invitations were sent out far and wide both internationally and within the countries borders, and many comrades wrote back to announce their arrival. The support was awesome.

By the end of November the police decided that it would be too risky for them to evict on the day the courts had stated that Ungdomshuset should be emptied for the Christians to take. They contacted the court and made them change the date from the 14th of December to “whenever the police find it comfortable”. Of course this is the ideal situation for the police, because then they can take the initiative, but it is also very clear that the police have managed in one swift move to become both judge and executioner. Justice state? Hardly.

The police now said in the media that they would not touch the house before January, because they wanted to ensure Christmas peace (yes, that’s how nice the cops are here…).

Ungdomshuset saw this for what it was; a cheap police trick to take the power out of the action week. So word went out to all comrades of the house that they should still come for the weekend, and they should still come angry. The police propaganda had some effect though, but still a lot of people came from all over the world to take part in the “Battle for Ungdomshuset”.

Peaceful demonstration for Ungdomshuset the 14th of December, it gathered more than 5000 people.

On the 14th of December it became clear to the people of Ungdomshuset who had been in dialog with the politicians that they had been lying about their willingness to find a solution. The spokesperson for the mayor who had been in charge of the negotiations hadn’t even been given the original papers and contracts concerning the house (which was the whole basis for the court case in the first place). When Ungdomshuset pointed out that this was unacceptable; all the suit and ties (including the mayor) said that there was nothing more they could do and negotiations would end now, even though they so far had done nothing at all (except illegally selling our house).

Needless to say, when the demonstration on the 16th of December hit the streets, people were more than a little pissed off.

The 16th demonstration was prepared for the inevitable police attack...

...and fought back when it came....

...defiantly...

...with everything it had.

Bicycle barricades at ungdomshuset.

The Police

It can be no surprise to anyone that the police force looks upon people from the scene around Ungdomshuset, not as citizens to serve, but rather as enemies they need to fight. Again and again peaceful demonstrations have been met with extreme violence, zero tolerance and arrests. The police spokesperson, Fleming Steen Munch, has this January been in the press stating that Ungdomshuset can be compared to a fascist organization because the house has a non-hieratical structure, there is no leader to be held responsible and because "they won't cooperate with the police". One can only laugh at this morons complete lack of basic historical knowledge of what fascism means and his childlike "we don't like them 'cause they don't want to play with us" -mentality, the only problem is that he speaks on behalf of 11000 blue clad, body armored robots. With guns.

Mass Arrests

The police in Denmark enjoy dealing with demonstrations and large groups of people whom they do not like, by arresting everyone and sorting out the minor detail of who is actually guilty of something on a later date. Their problem is, apart from the fact that it's hardly legal, is that they are not very good at this tactic at all. At several of Ungdomshusets demonstrations they have used this tactic, arresting a large number of more or less random people. Very few of these arrests hold up in court. Compensation for unlawful arrests is something that the state of Denmark is getting accustomed to in these cases. After the demonstration on the 16th of December, the police tried to jail a huge number of people, but the court didn't agree and said that the police lacked evidence and that these people could not be held in prison by the charges against them. The same day on of the police chiefs was, rather unheard of, in the press openly criticizing the cops in action on the day, saying that: They had been so busy arresting people, that they hadn't had time to gather evidence. In other words: the police top admitted to being guilty of sloppy and unprofessional police work.

The police deals with a peaceful manifestation at Faderhuset on the 26th of November.

Of course there lies a well-planned strategy behind the mass arrests: Namely to scare people from demonstrating. It's not democratic, it's illegal and it's basically a strategy developed in dictatorships and police states. Sadly the strategy has had some effect, and one can not blame people who come traveling to Copenhagen from far and wide, to take into consideration the fascist (yes THAT is fascism) strategies of the Danish police. But again, it's important to remember how amateurishly this strategy is carried out in praxis. And more importantly: They must never be allowed to scare us off the streets.

The Prisoners

Many people have the past year had an involuntary visit to the detention cells of the Copenhagen police, most got out in less than a day, but some got locked up for showing their solidarity to Ungdomshusets struggle. Presently 7 comrades are sitting imprisoned. 4 who was arrested on the 16th of December, 2 who were arrested the 7th of February after police had watched videos from the demo and 1 who was arrested on the 13th of January during the squat action on Dortheavej (se picture below). It seems realistic that the people who have been sitting since December will be released latest early March, but of course nothing is certain.

Anarchist Black Cross Copenhagen is working as solidarity group for the prisoners and any and all support for the prisoners are more than welcome.

Letters to the prisoners can be written to: ABC, Post box 604, 2200 Cph N, DK or mailed to info@blackcross.dk.

The battle continues

After the violent clashes on the 16th of December, the politicians decided that they could not afford to ignore Ungdomshuset and the community around it after all. They found out that it was in their best interest to try to prevent the conflict that would arise from evicting the house, so negotiations were opened again and this time it seemed that the politicians were actually so much under pressure that they were forced to do something (“doing something” in the world of politicians, of course includes doing something really stupid…).

At the same time the media was announcing that after the riots Ungdomshuset had lost all public support and that everybody hated the house. At the same time, neighbors and locals came by every day with presents and greetings. It seemed that we had never had more support from the local community, but that kind of stories just doesn’t sell papers.

The demonstrations and actions for and around the house continued through December and January.

Pirate Radio!

On the 14th of December Ungdomshuset went on the air with Pirate Radio 69. A 100% illegal radio station which broadcast from the house 24 hours a day, every day, on 101.8 FM. It can be heard in the greater part of the Copenhagen area through all FM receivers, but also on the internet on www.myspace.com/piratradio69. The radio broadcasts news from the house, interviews and a bombardment of punk and underground music. The authorities have demanded that the broadcast end immediately, and has ordered the police to go in and confiscate the radio equipment. But so far no cops have been spotted in the studio (or any other part of Ungdomshuset for that matter!).

Live from studio 69, pirate radio in action!

Demonstration on the 30th of December.

The 13th of January a demonstration for more free spaces, culminates in 300 people storming a policeline and squatting an old factory building.

Parties, workshops and meetings are held in the house until the police evict it on the 16th.

The International support

From day 1 the support Ungdomshuset has received from comrades around the world has been awesome. Demonstrations, actions and benefits have taken place out all over Europe, as well also Russia, Canada, US, Japan, Australia and elsewere. Danish Embassies and consulates everywhere has been the targeted with paint, banner drops, theater happenings and other manifestations of protest. Solidarity demonstrations have taken place in several countries, many of which have gathered hundreds and hundreds of people. Many comrades have traveled from far and wide to take part in the demonstrations and actions here in Copenhagen and several have stayed to help barricade the house for the upcoming eviction.

Hafenstrasse, Hamburg

It is hard to put down in words how much this support has meant to the community of Ungdomshuset. It has been an incredible inspiration. The text below is an attempt to express the gratitude.

To the international Brigades:

Thank you for your support in our time of need, we find ourselves extremely privileged to have such a fantastic extended family as you. We have, for a very long time now, tried to negotiate with the politicians, start dialogs and arrange peaceful demonstrations. We have been met with lies, ignorance, police violence, unlawful arrests, imprisonment and impending eviction.

You have helped us show the politicians that, contrary to them; we do not talk bullshit and issue false promises. It has been said that we are willing to fight for this house and now it seems that it is finally starting to seep through their thick skulls that the upcoming eviction will not be a peaceful affair.

Through your actions, carried out all over the world, it has been made clear to everyone that this fight is not only about a house, it’s about the struggle for autonomy and alternatives in a world that spins around egocentrism and money. This fight will not end with the eviction of Ungdomshuset, it will continue, everywhere.

See you on the barricades, in Copenhagen or elsewhere!

An offer you can’t refuse

The present situation of the house is as follows: The mayor of Copenhagen, Ritt Bjerregaard, has last week put up a ridicules ”solution” to the conflict. She has suggested that the foundation “Jagtvej 69”, which was originally established by supporters of the house to attempt to buy back the Ungdomshuset, should just buy another house for us who use the house.

Ungdomshuset has answered: “NO fucking way!” and has explained this answer by saying that there’s no way that the city council can escape the trouble they themselves has started by offering to sell a house. Secondly, and more importantly, the existence of self governed free spaces must never depend on having enough money to buy them.

Ungdomshuset has put out one simple re-demand to the mayor: If she presents a house (of same or larger size, with the same facilities as the present one) under the exact same terms as those under which Ungdomshuset was given to the squatter movement in 1982, then the community will talk to her, not before. The ‘82 terms were simple: An unbreakable contract from the city, giving the usage of the house to the squatters for free, forever.

No matter what happens; the struggle will continue.

Ungdomshuset 9th of February 2007

!URGENT UPDATE!

as of March 15, 2007

If you don't know already, Ungdomshuset was evicted by the danish anti-terror squad in tandom with the regular riot police on the 1st of march and has been completely destroyed since then. Copenhagen stood in some of the largest riot/protests it has ever seen on the 1st and 2nd, and a state of martial law was declared. Burnings, attacks, etc have been continuous on a smaller scale since. Massive peaceful demonstrations and rallies have occurred daily since. During the first two days of riots the police also illegally raided 4 activist spaces (houses, former squats, street centres etc.) also in eviction style, breaking down the doors filling the spaces with tear gas and beating up and arresting the occupants, most were later released after 24 hours because there was no legal way to hold them. The Anarchist Black Cross was also raided and everyone was arrested, also they were later released as this was another illegal action taken by police. The police presence in Norrebro (the Ungdomshuset neighbourhood) remains huge, they are continueing to arrest people without reason. Activists and punks must travel the streets wearing different clothes as to not draw attention. Border control has been increased and Danish cops are patrolling German train and bus stations looking for supporters coming to Copenhagen. As of Saturday the 3rd there had been over 650 arrests, 217 persons imprisoned and over 150 deportations... these statistics continue growing. The prison system is totally swamped, all regular right sin prison are being denied. Peoples dietary needs (primarily that of all vegans imprisoned) have been neglected or ignored. McDonalds was bought in one police station for all the detainees waiting to be processed.

The trade unions have refused to work on the houses demolition. Companies involved in the demolition of Ungdomshuset have been the targets of multiple attacks, several of the companies backed down from the work since, those that continue to work, do so with their faces and company logos covered. The house was demolished within a weeks time following the eviction.

Internationally: much is happening in reaction to the eviction. Protests, rallies and actions embodying a diversity of tactics have occurred and continue throughout the world. Actions have ranged from occupations of embassies and consulates, to large scale protests, to letter writing campaigns, to sabotage of police and military infrastructure in solidarity. We still ask for more activists to come to Copenhagen and there are facilities prepared for the international brigades!

The fight for a house continues, we are staying with our 4 demands:

1. A new Ungdomshuset now

2. As big as or bigger than Jagtvej 69

3. It will be a self governed free space

4. It must be in the same neighborhood

This struggle has moved far beyond simply a youth house and has become a symbol of resistance toward the control and illegalization of freedom and autonomy which grows in Denmark, Canada and around the world...

As is the oppression, the resistance is stronger than ever in Copenhagen...

for a constant update on whats happening in Copenhagen right now visit this site:

http://www.emoware.org/ungdomshuset.asp

The Ungdomshuset website is also still in operation: www.ungdomshuset.dk

Another site of supporters with many links is: www.jagtvej69.dk

And although they smashed a container full of cops through our first radio stations wall, Radio 69 is back in operation and can be heard over the internet at www.radio69.dk

PRISON SUPPORT!

NEEDED NOW MORE

THAN EVER!

The Copenhagen ABC is busier than ever and can

use all the support you can give!

Post address:
ABC
Postbox 604
2200 Copenhagen N
Denmark

Only letters.

Telephone Numbers:

+45 26 56 31 06

+45 41 12 68 87

Web Address: www.blackcross.dk

E-mail: info@blackcross.dk

You can send emails that will be passed on to the prisoners. Send pictures, drawings, letters, money, clothes, cds (unopened), video game systems etc.

everything is much appreciated in this crucial time of need.

NONE FORGOTTEN!

NONE FORGIVEN!