Property and Community

Recently I've been thinking about the issue of property and what should happen to it if it hasn't been used in awhile. Obviously squatting is a big issue for me, but I wanted to think about more than just squatting out buildings. However, I've also been thinking of all the great uses rusted out buildings can provide for the community.


How many of us have been walking down the street, looking around and then seeing this really old building that hasn't been used in years? I'm guessing it's alot of people. Could you imagine if this building was transformed into a democratic homeless shelter run by the homeless for the homeless? Imagine if that weeded out lot on a street was a community garden for low income peoples? Imagine that mile long GM building in Detroit being used for a community recreation center run by members of the community? All of these things can happen. However.....


Some people think that property is a right in this country and that we shouldn't trespass on others' property. Basically it doesn't matter if the community can use it, the property was bought and therefore it should be either sold or if the owner wants, it should sit there until it can be used. Screw that line of thinking. I say we demand a new law, a revolutionary law, that if a piece of property hasn't been used in 6 months, a person should be able to transform it. This law should be nationwide and all anybody should have to do is request that such and such property be used by the community so that the council can give that person to go-ahead to use it. There is simply too many homeless and too few community centers in this country to let buildings get rusted out. Some cities do indeed have this law, but every city,state whatever should have it.


Property back to the people for community use!