Oh..do I have a fascinating tour for you! Titled Radical Alphabet City Tour – held in one of my favorite parts of Manhattan – the Lower East Side. You’ll visit legendary historic sites where the community faced off with gentrification and corporate power left from the effects of inner-city turmoil which took place beginning in 1970’s and 80’s. The neighborhood experienced real estate abandonment and withdrawal as riots flared, buildings burned and drugs were widespread. I’m pretty familiar with the Lower East Side, along with all the community gardens that resulted, but I wasn’t at all familiar with the squatter situation that resulted as well.
We met our tour guide Fly (a legendary Squatter artist) at the Museum of Reclaimed Urban Space, located on 10th Street at Avenue C.
Two hours of learning all about the area and how her squat attained legal status and what she can and can not do with it. Fly provided fascinating stories…such as the time when the riot police arrived in 1995 and used an armored carrier to evict squatters from buildings on East 13th Street…as well as many personal accounts she experienced. She’s passionate about the importance of her work to document the historical and cultural significance, as she personally took photographs to document the past 20 some years since she became a squatter.
My next step is to inquire if a tour is available that will give me access into a squatter’s home to hear their stories and view firsthand how their sweat equity provided them an opportunity for home ownership. So stay tuned!
One word to describe this tour – fascinating!!
Most fascinating, Robin, now that I hear from Astrid what happens with squatters in places like Amsterdam. Not a pretty sight, she says. I have a feeling this is entirely different from what Fly is talking about!
That would be great, to get a tour from her. I bet she can write a book. In the Netherlands it is against the law to be a squatter. What is done more often, the house-owner, is renting out for a symbolic price, the property. It prevents the building being squatted and the renter will take care of the house. A win-win situation.
Beautiful art of the Fly. An you came into a different world.
Most interesting in deed. I have no doubt you will get welcomed into a squatters home and invited to take all the photos you want. I will look forward to seeing them soon. XXO
In Berlin we had a great gallery ” Tacheles” which was run by squatters – a great place! Now closed by the authorities it will probably be demolished and replaced by a modern office building.looking forward to hear and see all about your next visit.
Your tour is most definitely fascinating. I love to live vicariously through your worldly posts, so thank you. Blessings!
Really interesting, Robin, I’m looking forward to your tour. Just learning about real estate now as I am going for my brokers licence, I found it so fascinating to learn that squatters can actually obtain adverse possession of land. There are of course rules that vary in statess that it is legal, but nevertheless I was surprised to learn this.
Yes, yes, yes! I’d love to read and see more about this!
Fascinating and worthy of a continuation
Wow! Fascinating is the right word! It will be incredible if you’re able to gain access to a squatter’s home. Imagine the stories!
Great post. I’ve always wondered!
So much to find out about in your city!