Another Squat Evicted

Over 100 riot police invaded the Lower East Side April 27 to evict residents of Dos Blocos, a squat at 713 East Ninth St. Thirteen people were arrested, including three squatters who had chained themselves to the fire escape. “These cops are doing it all for the landlord,” longtime squatter Gerry Wade said as he was being arrested.

The building, occupied for about six years, was one of the rare squats owned by a private landlord, who bought it in 1997. “I’m outraged about this,” City Councilmember Margarita Lopez said at the scene. “Do you think they’re going to come in here and create affordable housing? Absolutely not!” Police Chief Allan Hoehl, asked about making the building safe for the landlord to charge $2,500 a month rent, replied, “We’re assisting the city marshal in evicting the squatters.”