Czech landlord allegedly threatens to pull the plug tonight on evictees' amplified displacement party

The people being evicted from the Klíšská and Modrá residential hotels in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic are bidding farewell to the neighborhood today with musical performances under the slogans "We Won't Go Live on the Street!" and "Black, White, Together We Fight!", holding a community gathering in advance of their having to move out on 30 June. The evictees want to draw attention to their desperate situation and to point out that the authorities have de facto created a real quandary when it comes to making social housing accessible.

MessenJah (reggae), the Romani band De La Negra (hip hop), Louty (punk rock) and special guests "skinpin" (punk rock from Australia) will perform to express their solidarity with the soon-to-be-homeless evictees. "Unfortunately, the fate of 16 families from the Modrá residential hotel still hangs in the balance because suitable housing has not yet been found for them," organizers stated in a press release sent to news server Romea.cz.

"Almost all the evictees from Klíšská have managed to arrange at least temporary housing, partially thanks to their own activities and determination to fight for their rights, partially thanks to the humane approach taken by the local administration of the municipality where that facility is located," the press release states.

The operator of both facilities, Lea Anderlová, announced at the end of May that she would be closing her business in both places by the end of June. The owner of both buildings, the CPI Byty company, previously stated it would not be arranging to manage them itself.

One facility is located in the central Klíše quarter and the other in the Střekov quarter. "The owner of the buildings, the CPI Byty firm, unfortunately does not understand why we want to have this gathering with the neighbors," the press release alleges.

"The evictees were even told that if they attempt to hold this event, their electricity will be turned off, even though they have already paid through 30 June," organizers allege. Marek Dočekal, who is aiding the local evictees with organizing the musical aspect of the event, said that "The City of Ústí nad Labem would like to designate all of its territory as a zone with a  high incidence of sociopathological phenomena."

"That step, in practice, will facilitate the ending of the disbursal of housing benefits for any newly-arriving residents and for those who conclude new rental contracts for their current homes. Where the families who are losing their opportunity to afford housing as a result of this measure will move is not clear, however," Dočekal said.

"The surrounding towns are considering similar measures," the organizer alleged. Jiří Peč, aka MessenJah, said that "Sensitive social policy does not consist of such bans or of displacing non-conformist citizens."

"Unfortunately there is no immediate solution, but in the long term what would aid this situation would be for the city to design its own housing policy and find a way to include these people in society instead of casting entire families into a desperate situation and into hopelessness," the performer said. The event will take place at the Klíšská residential hotel, Klíšská 2057/53, Ústí nad Labem-centrum, beginning at 18:00.

The Mad Duck Booking Collective is aiding with organization of the event. No admission will be charged.