Resist the Biggest Eviction ever
Object
Poster
Production date
03/1988
Object number
2014.321
Physical Description
A copy of a poster campaigning against eviction of squatters at Stamford Hill Estate in 1988
Object history
In the second half of 1987 what became labeled as “Hackney’s Squatters Army” disrupted every monthly council meeting demanding an end to evictions while 3-4,000 council homes remained empty. Links were developed with unions, while direct actions were carried out, such as against workers attempting to steel plate empty fiats. A squat centre was opened on Northwold Road. N16, a minibus purchased and a fairly well organised network established.
By March 1988, with over 120 flats squatted on the Stamford Hill Estate alone, the council brought in riot cops to attempt a mass eviction. After a three day stand off, with burning barricades, hundreds of masked squatters and local supporters, the estate was finally lost.
By March 1988, with over 120 flats squatted on the Stamford Hill Estate alone, the council brought in riot cops to attempt a mass eviction. After a three day stand off, with burning barricades, hundreds of masked squatters and local supporters, the estate was finally lost.
Associated Person
Griffiths, Simon (Artist)
Material
Paper
Dimension
Height: 836mm
Width: 588mm
Width: 588mm
Exhibition Label
From the exhibition 'Hackney@50: The People's Choice' [12 February - 29 August 2015]
"Hackney is well known for its radical history. This poster was designed in 1988 by Simon Griffiths who was an art student at Middlesex Polytechnic. Using its screen-printing facilities he produced 500 posters which were distributed around Hackney and other parts of London.
Griffiths squatted in Stoke Newington and had friends who were squatting on this estate. He describes this period of his life as extremely political but also a time of great freedom and happiness."
Photo caption: Simon Griffiths, second from the left, designed and screen-printed the poster. The photo was taken outside a squat on John Campbell Road in Dalston known as the Rio House, circa late 1980s.
Chosen and loaned by Wesley Burrage
Ex-squatter
"Hackney is well known for its radical history. This poster was designed in 1988 by Simon Griffiths who was an art student at Middlesex Polytechnic. Using its screen-printing facilities he produced 500 posters which were distributed around Hackney and other parts of London.
Griffiths squatted in Stoke Newington and had friends who were squatting on this estate. He describes this period of his life as extremely political but also a time of great freedom and happiness."
Photo caption: Simon Griffiths, second from the left, designed and screen-printed the poster. The photo was taken outside a squat on John Campbell Road in Dalston known as the Rio House, circa late 1980s.
Chosen and loaned by Wesley Burrage
Ex-squatter
On display?
No
Inscription
Resist the biggest eviction ever. Stamford Hill Estate. Squat
