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{{Use British English|date=March 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2014}}
{{Lowercase title}}
{{Lowercase title}}
[[File:RampART.jpg|thumb|RampART in 2006, prior to eviction]]
'''rampART''' was a [[squatting|squatted]] [[social centre]] in the [[Whitechapel]] area of east [[London]]. It was established in a derelict building in Rampart Street which was previously used as an Islamic school for girls.
'''rampART''' was a [[squatting|squatted]] [[social centre]] in the [[Whitechapel]] area of east [[London]]. It was established in a derelict building in Rampart Street which was previously used as an Islamic school for girls.
The centre operated as a [[private club|private members club]] providing a space for a wide range of groups to carry out their activities. It was managed by [[Volunteering|volunteer]]s without any funding and with a strong emphasis on [[consensus decision making]] and [[DIY]] culture.
The centre operated as a [[private club|private members club]] providing a space for a wide range of groups to carry out their activities. It was managed by [[Volunteering|volunteer]]s without any funding and with a strong emphasis on [[consensus decision making]] and [[DIY]] culture.
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The centre was variously known as '''rampART Social Centre,''' '''rampART creative centre and social space,''' or more commonly as '''rampART.'''
The centre was variously known as '''rampART Social Centre,''' '''rampART creative centre and social space,''' or more commonly as '''rampART.'''


The centre lost a court case brought by the owner and awaited [[eviction]] from 3 January 2008. It was finally evicted on 15 October 2009.<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/388580.html UK Indymedia - rampART on the defensive] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516232826/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/12/388580.html |date=16 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Social centre squatters finally evicted after five year battle |url=https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/social-centre-sqatters-finally-evicted-aftre-five-year-battle-1-669807 |accessdate=2 May 2019 |work=East London advertiser |date=19 October 2009}}</ref>
The centre lost a court case brought by the owner and awaited [[eviction]] from 3 January 2008. It was finally evicted on 15 October 2009.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Social centre squatters finally evicted after five year battle |url=https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/social-centre-sqatters-finally-evicted-aftre-five-year-battle-1-669807 |access-date=2 May 2019 |work=East London advertiser |date=19 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502182004/https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/social-centre-sqatters-finally-evicted-aftre-five-year-battle-1-669807 |archive-date=2 May 2019}}</ref>


==Developments at rampART==
==Developments at rampART==
At the [[2009 G-20 London summit protests]] police raided squats occupied by protesters including the one on Rampart Street where the police believed people involved in violent disorder were staying. There was around 20 people in it. Four from Rampart were arrested on 2 April 2009.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Topping |first1=Alexandra |last2=Sturcke |first2=James |last3=Weaver |first3=Matthew |title=G20 summit and protests: live blog |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/apr/02/g20-summit-liveblog |access-date=2 May 2019 |work=Guardian |date=2 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428191258/https://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/apr/02/g20-summit-liveblog |archive-date=28 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
rampART was open for five and a half years, hosting meetings, screenings, performances, exhibitions and benefit gigs. During that period the building and resources evolved to adapt to the demands of its users. In November 2007 property developers planned to partially demolish the squatted houses next to the social centre and build three new properties at the back.<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/385533.html UK Indymedia - Developers make their move on Rampart Street] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106094655/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/385533.html |date=6 November 2013 }}</ref> rampART itself was under no immediate threat and regular activities continued as normal; however in December 2007 the centre received eviction papers. The date for eviction was set at 3 January 2008.<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/385742.html UK Indymedia - Developments at rampART] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421002450/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/385742.html |date=21 April 2014 }}</ref>


⚫
On 15 October 2009 rampART was evicted.<ref name=":0" /> Rampart reported on its own Wordpress social media blog page that 45 police officers, several bailiffs and a priest were present, and a chainsaw was used to enter the building and climbers also used the roof as a means of access.<ref>[http://therampart.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/rampart-eviction-the-priest-and-the-chainsaw/ Rampart Eviction – The Priest and the Chainsaw &#124; rampART] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112134021/http://therampart.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/rampart-eviction-the-priest-and-the-chainsaw/ |date=12 November 2012 }}</ref>
The day after the [[2009 G-20 London summit protests]], the rampART squat was raided by a large force of police. There were reports of violence and tasers pointed at unarmed people.<ref>[http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/1005] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518173819/http://london.indymedia.org.uk/articles/1005 |date=18 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Topping |first1=Alexandra |last2=Sturcke |first2=James |last3=Weaver |first3=Matthew |title=G20 summit and protests: live blog |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/blog/2009/apr/02/g20-summit-liveblog |accessdate=2 May 2019 |work=Guardian |date=2 April 2009}}</ref>

⚫
On 15 October 2009 rampART was evicted.<ref>{{cite news |title=Social centre squatters finally evicted after five year battle |url=https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/social-centre-sqatters-finally-evicted-aftre-five-year-battle-1-669807 |accessdate=2 May 2019 |work=East London advertiser |date=19 October 2009}}</ref> 45 police officers, several bailiffs and a priest were present, and a chainsaw was used to enter the building. Climbers also used the roof as a means of access.<ref>[http://therampart.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/rampart-eviction-the-priest-and-the-chainsaw/ Rampart Eviction – The Priest and the Chainsaw &#124; rampART] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112134021/http://therampart.wordpress.com/2009/10/16/rampart-eviction-the-priest-and-the-chainsaw/ |date=12 November 2012 }}</ref>

After the eviction, the collective, still named "the rampART collective", stayed together and temporarily moved to a new space in [[Walworth]] in South London where they continued to hold weekly meetings.


==Background==
==Background==
rampART was opened in May 2004 and was located at 15 to 17 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA. The project was initiated by a mixture of [[artists]], community groups and political [[activists]]. Within the first year, the building had hosted over 100 cultural and political events.
rampART was opened in 2004.<ref name=":0" /> and was located at 15 to 17 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA. The project was initiated by a mixture of [[artists]], community groups and political [[activists]]. Within the first year, the building had hosted over 100 cultural and political events.


The centre was run by an open collective as an [[autonomous space]]. It was open to all on the basis of [[egalitarianism|equality]] for all. Projects were run on an entirely [[wikt:voluntary|voluntary]] basis by the people involved. They were not [[Charitable organization|charity]] workers or [[social workers]]. The projects were run in the spirit of [[co-operation]], [[wikt:solidarity|solidarity]] and mutual aid. It was not a commercial enterprise run for [[Profit (economics)|profit]]—instead it was funded day-to-day by donations given by users, or by raising funds through benefit events such as gigs, cafés or film nights.<ref name="Conlin">{{cite journal |last1=Conlin |first1=P |title=Neoliberalism out of joint: Activists and inactivists in London’s social centres |journal=Subjectivity |date=2014 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=270-287 |doi=10.1057/sub.2014.8}}</ref>
The centre was run by an open collective as an [[autonomous space]]. It was open to all on the basis of [[egalitarianism|equality]] for all. Projects were run on an entirely [[wikt:voluntary|voluntary]] basis by the people involved. They were not [[Charitable organization|charity]] workers or [[social workers]]. The projects were run in the spirit of [[co-operation]], [[wikt:solidarity|solidarity]] and mutual aid. It was not a commercial enterprise run for [[Profit (economics)|profit]]—instead it was funded day-to-day by donations given by users, or by raising funds through benefit events such as gigs, cafés or film nights.<ref name="Conlin">{{cite journal |last1=Conlin |first1=P |title=Neoliberalism out of joint: Activists and inactivists in London's social centres |journal=Subjectivity |date=2014 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=270–287 |doi=10.1057/sub.2014.8|s2cid=144906777 }}</ref>

The rampART [[constitution]] stated that: <blockquote>''The rampART is run collectively. Any one is free to get involved or make proposals relating to use of the space by come along to one of the weekly meetings which are held Mondays after 6pm. We attempt to make all major decisions relating use of the space by building a consensus, both out of a desire to avoid hierarchies and also in recognition that decisions are more likely to be carried out when decided by consensus.''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mudlark121 |title=Today in London squatting history: RampART squat social centre evicted, Whitechapel, 2009. |url=https://pasttenseblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/15/today-in-london-squatting-history-rampart-squat-social-centre-evicted-whitechapel-2009/ |website=Past Tense |accessdate=2 May 2019}}</ref></blockquote>

==Projects at rampART==

===Cultural activities===
* Amateur theatre, art installations, acoustic concerts
* Film nights (weekly), poetry, photography exhibitions, political discussions and meetings

===Skill sharing and workshops===
* Samba, radio, juggling, banner making, computer skills training, screen printing

===Resource exchange and other projects===
[[File:Rampart freeshop.jpg|thumb|RampART free shop]]
* [[Free shop]], info library, [[Mass media|media]] lab, wireless Internet, kitchen / café. rampART had a library of donated books, as well as a [[BookCrossing]] zone.

==Events at rampART==


===Gatherings===
===Gatherings===
⚫
* During the [[2007 Venezuelan constitutional referendum|Hugo Chávez referendum]] there was a week-long ‘Venezuela Solidarity’ event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Week of Solidarity |url=http://www.thenewagenda.org/venezuela/weekofsolidarity/index.html |website=The New Agenda |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803191950/http://www.thenewagenda.org/venezuela/weekofsolidarity/index.html |archive-date=3 August 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The [[Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army]] held training sessions at the centre.<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/03/307900.html UK Indymedia - "Rebel Clown Trainings Begin in London 4th April"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115120709/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/03/307900.html |date=15 November 2013 }}</ref><ref name=2Bday>{{cite web |title=rampART 2 Years Birthday Anniversary Celebration |url=https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/341290.html |website=Indymedia |accessdate=2 May 2019}}</ref>
⚫
* During the [[European Social Forum]] rampART accommodated over 50 European visitors as well as laying on free food and a range of entertainment.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Papadimitriou |first1=Tasos |last2=Saunders |first2=Clare |last3=Rootes |first3=Christopher |title=Democracy and the London European Social Forum |journal=ECPR |date=2007 |url=https://ecpr.eu/Filestore/PaperProposal/5595a8bb-a38d-471d-953a-f2de088b05df.pdf |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502222741/https://ecpr.eu/Filestore/PaperProposal/5595a8bb-a38d-471d-953a-f2de088b05df.pdf |archive-date=2 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
⚫
* During the [[Hugo Chávez]] [[referendum]] there was a week-long ‘Venezuela Solidarity’ event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Week of Solidarity |url=http://www.thenewagenda.org/venezuela/weekofsolidarity/index.html |website=The New Agenda |accessdate=2 May 2019}}</ref>
⚫
* [[No Border network]] presented an exhibition in 2009 by French photographer Julie Rebouillat about migrants sleeping rough in Calais.<ref>{{cite web |title=Calais Photo Exhibition at G20 Infocafe, Rampart Social Centre |url=http://london.noborders.org.uk/news/calais-photo-exhibition-g20-infocafe-rampart-social-centre |website=London No Borders |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731235548/http://london.noborders.org.uk/news/calais-photo-exhibition-g20-infocafe-rampart-social-centre |archive-date=31 July 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Conscious fashion week.<ref name=2Bday />
⚫
* WANC (Women's Anarchic Nuisance Café) took place on a monthly basis.<ref name="Wetherspoon">{{cite journal |last1=Finchett-Maddock |first1=Lucy |title=An Anarchist's Wetherspoons 1 or Virtuous Resistance? Social Centres as MacIntyre's Vision of Practice-based Communities |journal=Philosophy of Management |date=2008 |volume=7 |issue=1|pages=21–31 |doi=10.5840/pom2008714 |s2cid=144807059 }}</ref>
* A week-long series of talks, films, food and discussion about Africa.<ref name=2Bday />
⚫
* A talk by indigenous Mexican activists on behalf of peasant farmers.<ref>{{cite news |title=SchNEWS in brief |url=https://schnews.amo.org.uk/archive/news485.htm |access-date=2 May 2019 |work=SchNEWS |date=18 February 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502230702/https://schnews.amo.org.uk/archive/news485.htm |archive-date=2 May 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>
* The festival for peace organised by the [[European Creative Forum]] and [[Peace Not War]] was accompanied by an afternoon of [[workshop]]s at rampART.<ref name=2Bday />
⚫
* During the [[European Social Forum]] rampART accommodated over 50 European visitors as well as laying on free food and a range of entertainment.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Papadimitriou |first1=Tasos |last2=Saunders |first2=Clare |last3=Rootes |first3=Christopher |title=Democracy and the London European Social Forum |journal=ECPR |date=2007 |url=https://ecpr.eu/Filestore/PaperProposal/5595a8bb-a38d-471d-953a-f2de088b05df.pdf |accessdate=2 May 2019}}</ref> Additionally, as one of the European Social Forum autonomous spaces, rampART hosted the Home Education Forum and acted as homebase for the [[European Creative Forum]] and the Laboratory of Insurrectional Imagination.<ref>{{cite web |title=European Social Forum , London 2004 |url=http://www.labofii.net/experiments/esf/ |website=Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination |accessdate=2 May 2019}}</ref>
* Following the [[Anarchist Bookfair]] 2007 a fund raising party for [[No Border network|No Borders]] was held at rampART.<ref>[http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384632.html UK Indymedia - Anarchist Bookfair 2007] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023083800/http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/10/384632.html |date=23 October 2013 }}</ref>
⚫
* [[No Border network]] presented an exhibition in 2009 by French photographer Julie Rebouillat about migrants sleeping rough in Calais.<ref>{{cite web |title=Calais Photo Exhibition at G20 Infocafe, Rampart Social Centre |url=http://london.noborders.org.uk/news/calais-photo-exhibition-g20-infocafe-rampart-social-centre |website=London No Borders |accessdate=2 May 2019}}</ref>
⚫
* WANC (Women's Anarchic Nuisance Café) took place on a monthly basis.<ref name="Wetherspoon">{{cite journal |last1=Finchett-Maddock |first1=Lucy |title=An Anarchist’s Wetherspoons 1 or Virtuous Resistance? Social Centres as MacIntyre’s Vision of Practice-based Communities |journal=Philosophy of Management |date=2008 |volume=7 |issue=1}}</ref>
⚫
* A talk by indigenous Mexican activists on behalf of peasant farmers.<ref>{{cite news |title=SchNEWS in brief |url=https://schnews.amo.org.uk/archive/news485.htm |accessdate=2 May 2019 |work=SchNEWS |date=18 February 2005}}</ref>

===Film nights===
* Since the closure of The Other Cinema, [[Independent Media Center|Indymedia London]] used rampART as a venue for a series of film festivals. These included Caminos De Resistencia (Paths Of Resistance) and the Middle East Film Festival.{{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}
* There have been non-Indymedia organised festivals including Positive Global Movements, a week-long exhibition of stories of resistance from around the world.<ref name=2Bday />
* Prior to its official debut, [[Michael Moore]]'s ''[[Fahrenheit 911]]'' was premiered at rampART on 4 July as part of an 'Independence FROM America themed evening.{{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}
* A documentary about the [[McLibel]] trial and a premiere of ''[[Super Size Me]]'' were shown.{{Citation needed|date=June 2013}}

===Benefit gigs===
rampART was used as a venue for benefit concerts for causes such as [[Indymedia]] , [[No Border network]], [[Rising Tide UK]], [[Peace News]] , [[Real2Reel]] and Argentinian, Bolivian and Chilean solidarity groups.<ref name=2Bday /><ref name="NoBorder">{{cite web |title=Social Centre |url=http://london.noborders.org.uk/tags/social-centre |website=London No Borders |accessdate=2 May 2019}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[491 Gallery]], another squatted social centre in east London
* [[Self-managed social centres in the United Kingdom]]
* [[UK Social Centre Network]]


==Sources==
==Sources==
* [http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=3748 "ESF radio from rampart"] written 14 October 2004, retrieved 7 June 2006.
* [http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=3748 "ESF radio from rampart"] written 14 October 2004, retrieved 7 June 2006.
* [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/01/303872.html "Indian activist film festival"] IMC UK written 15 January 2006, retrieved 7 June 2006.


==References==
==References==
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* [http://squat.net/en/news/london220504.html Announcement of first opening]
* [http://squat.net/en/news/london220504.html Announcement of first opening]
* [http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index2.php/free/culture/arts/ecf_hits_the_streets_with_a_riot_of_colour rampART at the European Social Forum]
* [http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index2.php/free/culture/arts/ecf_hits_the_streets_with_a_riot_of_colour rampART at the European Social Forum]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060709220159/http://wiki.hacklab.org.uk/index.php/RampART rampART hacklab]

⚫
{{Infoshops and social centers}}


{{coord|51.5141|-0.0611|type:landmark_region:GB-TWH|display=title}}
{{coord|51.5141|-0.0611|type:landmark_region:GB-TWH|display=title}}


⚫
{{Infoshops}}
{{SquatE&W}}
[[Category:Social centres in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Social centres in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:DIY culture]]
[[Category:DIY culture]]
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[[Category:Evicted squats]]
[[Category:Evicted squats]]
[[Category:Squats in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Squats in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Whitechapel]]
[[Category:2004 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2009 disestablishments in England]]

Latest revision as of 22:48, 29 January 2022

rampART was a squatted social centre in the Whitechapel area of east London. It was established in a derelict building in Rampart Street which was previously used as an Islamic school for girls. The centre operated as a private members club providing a space for a wide range of groups to carry out their activities. It was managed by volunteers without any funding and with a strong emphasis on consensus decision making and DIY culture.

The centre was variously known as rampART Social Centre, rampART creative centre and social space, or more commonly as rampART.

The centre lost a court case brought by the owner and awaited eviction from 3 January 2008. It was finally evicted on 15 October 2009.[1]

Developments at rampART

[edit]

At the 2009 G-20 London summit protests police raided squats occupied by protesters including the one on Rampart Street where the police believed people involved in violent disorder were staying. There was around 20 people in it. Four from Rampart were arrested on 2 April 2009.[2]

On 15 October 2009 rampART was evicted.[1] Rampart reported on its own Wordpress social media blog page that 45 police officers, several bailiffs and a priest were present, and a chainsaw was used to enter the building and climbers also used the roof as a means of access.[3]

Background

[edit]

rampART was opened in 2004.[1] and was located at 15 to 17 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA. The project was initiated by a mixture of artists, community groups and political activists. Within the first year, the building had hosted over 100 cultural and political events.

The centre was run by an open collective as an autonomous space. It was open to all on the basis of equality for all. Projects were run on an entirely voluntary basis by the people involved. They were not charity workers or social workers. The projects were run in the spirit of co-operation, solidarity and mutual aid. It was not a commercial enterprise run for profit—instead it was funded day-to-day by donations given by users, or by raising funds through benefit events such as gigs, cafés or film nights.[4]

Gatherings

[edit]
  • During the Hugo Chávez referendum there was a week-long ‘Venezuela Solidarity’ event.[5]
  • During the European Social Forum rampART accommodated over 50 European visitors as well as laying on free food and a range of entertainment.[6]
  • No Border network presented an exhibition in 2009 by French photographer Julie Rebouillat about migrants sleeping rough in Calais.[7]
  • WANC (Women's Anarchic Nuisance Café) took place on a monthly basis.[8]
  • A talk by indigenous Mexican activists on behalf of peasant farmers.[9]

See also

[edit]

Sources

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Social centre squatters finally evicted after five year battle". East London advertiser. 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  2. ^ Topping, Alexandra; Sturcke, James; Weaver, Matthew (2 April 2009). "G20 summit and protests: live blog". Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  3. ^ Rampart Eviction – The Priest and the Chainsaw | rampART Archived 12 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Conlin, P (2014). "Neoliberalism out of joint: Activists and inactivists in London's social centres". Subjectivity. 7 (3): 270–287. doi:10.1057/sub.2014.8. S2CID 144906777.
  5. ^ "Week of Solidarity". The New Agenda. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  6. ^ Papadimitriou, Tasos; Saunders, Clare; Rootes, Christopher (2007). "Democracy and the London European Social Forum" (PDF). ECPR. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  7. ^ "Calais Photo Exhibition at G20 Infocafe, Rampart Social Centre". London No Borders. Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  8. ^ Finchett-Maddock, Lucy (2008). "An Anarchist's Wetherspoons 1 or Virtuous Resistance? Social Centres as MacIntyre's Vision of Practice-based Communities". Philosophy of Management. 7 (1): 21–31. doi:10.5840/pom2008714. S2CID 144807059.
  9. ^ "SchNEWS in brief". SchNEWS. 18 February 2005. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
[edit]

51°30′51″N 0°03′40″W / 51.5141°N 0.0611°W / 51.5141; -0.0611

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