Chile: Statement by the settlers of Peñalolén

Today, Sunday 12th March 2006, over 500 families belonging to the housing committees of Peñalolén, carried out an occupation of public lands located in the so-called Franja Grecia (alt. 9500) at the foot of the mountain range.

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Statement by the settlers of Peñalolén

PUBLIC STATEMENT

Today, Sunday 12th March 2006, over 500 families belonging to the housing committees of Peñalolén, carried out an occupation of public lands located in the so-called Franja Grecia (alt. 9500) at the foot of the mountain range.

The occupation, an act of protest, is part of a series of actions and negotiations that have been going on with the various relevant authorities. So far, no offered solution has satisfied the demands of the settlers, meaning that more than 800 families still have no chance of access to decent housing.

The actions undertaken by the organized settlers who took part in the occupation have been going on for 2 years. The constant answers of Claudio Orrego, Administrator of Peñalolén (DC), and Ricardo Trincado, director of SERVIU (the Chilean Housing Department), have not addressed the problem, only offering as possible solutions an area with appalling conditions, without schools, postal services or sources of work, where the costs for transport to anywhere else would be high.

The process of mobilization and struggle with regard to housing in the commune of Peñalolén goes back several years. We now continue that history of struggle as settlers struggling for the dream and the necessity of decent housing in the land that we have seen each other grow up and live in.

We have decided to continue the struggle for our right to decent housing. No more abuse and postponements for our poor community!

Pobladores Organizados por la Vivienda y Vida Digna

(Organized Settlers for Decent Housing and a Decent Life)

Peñalolén, Sunday 12th March 2006.

Translation by Anarkismo.net