Three political parties in the Groningen city council have decided to ask official questions about the squatters’ action at Heykens printing building last weekend.
They want to hold an emergency debate in the city council on Wednesday.
During an emergency debate of the city council, the municipal delegations of the VVD, Stadspartij and the CDA want to know why no action is being taken against the squatters of the Heykens building at Akerkstraat 16A.
The squat took place on Sunday afternoon by a group of students protesting against the policy pursued by the municipality and university regarding student housing. Although squatting is illegal in the Netherlands, the squatters in question were allowed to spend the night in the squatted building after consultation with the police, the public prosecutor and the deputy mayor.
Some municipal council fractions are displeased and angry with the current state of affairs. CDA party chairman René Bolle: “These may seem like Amsterdam practices, but the Diepenring is not an Amsterdam canals. You keep away from other people’s property! “. VVD member Ietje Jacobs is also annoyed: “How is it possible that the municipality, police and justice do not protect the owner. It is incomprehensible and unacceptable that he cannot enter his own premises.”
The latest reports show that support beams in the building have been reinforced and that this has been done in consultation with the municipality. Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors have also been installed for safety reasons. “Squatting is illegal, but the municipality seems to put the squatters at ease and shows no intention to vacate the premises,” said Amrut Sijbolts of the Stadspartij.
