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Flamingo Hotel (Santa Monica, US) - November 1997
An old abandoned hotel has become the latest scene for the struggle of
homeless people to use empty buildings. The Flamingo Motel in Santa Monica,
USA is being occupied by more than 50 people who have declared it the
Independant nation of Flamingo.
Santa Monica, in California is the richest state of the richest nation on
earth but many people have nowhere to live, thanks to the result of
property developers which have helped destroy low- income housing in the
city.
The Flamingo Motel was one of the last places for transitional housing in
the city for those who had become homeless, but was closed two years ago.
As one resident put it: "The homeless activists, because of the failure of
the government to provide assistance to needy citizens, have taken matters
in to their own hands. The City of Santa Monica has, instead of responding
to the problem, directed its police force to hound and harass homeless
residents. They have made being poor and homeless a criminal offense." The
police have arrested three people but widespread coverage has kept them at
bay while the City Council decide to open cold weather shelters.
More info: http://www.radio4all.org
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revised 22 September 2006
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