Kebele Project Threatened

A large scale eviction seems likely if Lloyds Bank attempts to repossess the building now occupied by the Kebele Community Project in Bristol. If so, it will be a loss to the community and may cost Lloyds Bank more than the building is worth.

Kebele is a non-profitable collective and has operated from a squatted building for nearly two years. In September of this year ownership of the building passed from the Bristol One Parent Project to Lloyds Bank. Lloyds Bank now wish to evict, despite attempts to negotiate a future for the building as a housing co-op. Instead Lloyds Bank intend to auction the property which is worth very little and will almost certainly stand empty until it is knocked down and replaced with something cheap, ugly and profitable. Several other houses on the same road are already empty and bricked up after squatters were evicted earlier this year.

Kebele has been opening twice a week as a vegan cafe, taking only donations for meals and providing a safe and comfortable space for people to meet. The space is used for video evenings, talks, kids workshops, bike workshops, poetry nights, acoustic music and much more. It is an information centre with a book, magazine and video library. It is also used as a space for environmental campaigning groups to meet and organize. Many activists have used Kebele as a place to sleep and stay en route to campaigns and evictions in the South West. It is a cultural centre alive and thriving, with strong support from its local community.

Kebele firmly believes that it is time to put people before profit, to continue demonstrating that an anarchic and co-operative existence can be achieved. Contact 14 Robertson Road, Eastville, Bristol or 0117 9399469