hello
i'll try to clarify the technical aspect and the topical questions
how you all got power and electricity turned on?for power they replaced the missing fuses and got rid of a locker to get to the main switch ...
but, EDF the state company uses material you don't find in a DIY shop
the fuses they replaced(size of 2 packs of cigs) came from other squatts, and the electrician in charge of restauring electricity had to cut a few saw blades to make up for the remaining missing ones.
for water it was easier ...you have to open these heavy grids on the pavement to turn on the tap...
Is it a way to "stick it to the man?" Is it done to shine light on what is believed to be a governmental flaw? it is both with even other motives
1st there's a law in France about unoccupied buildings to be opened in case of necessity I think it dates back from the after war period but was revoted by Mitterand in the 80ties
it is scarcely enforced and so remains our main "umbrella" to face the criticism
2nd as you pointed "stick to the man " it is a good image...,the question of.temporary reappropriation of state owned buildings...I once told a "gendarme" (motorcycle police officer) that he should behave correctly because I was his employer (he had snatched up my key from the bike before even talking ..) these unsold unoccupied unused unrent buildings deserve better than a speculative life, we are the shareholders!
in addition , there's a high demand for theater rehearsals,music, community groups,artwork and workshop etc ...who do not find place anywhere to exist...no speaking of the many homeless for whom a squatt is simply a roof
the typical alchemy is
a skilled group to open+an active group to maintain the place + people who simply have a roof+people who do an activity+ the squatter's squatters : bums addicts mental cases people who have fallen all the way down..etc////ideally ....everyone can have its space....
(violin+an angel is flying by..) jim