Siege of Hockley Protest Site,

Essex Urgent Media Release Thursday 10th Feb 2000

As evictions continue at Gorse wood, the anti A130 road site, nearby Hockley protest site is locked in a bizarre siege. Hockley Protest site is part of a campaign that was started up last summer to physically resist the construction of luxury housing on greenbelt land close to the proposed A130 Yesterday (Wednesday 9th Feb) a private security firm fenced off the site, barricading the protestors in their homes. They now completely control access to the site. Although the security guards are allowing people to leave the site, they are preventing anyone getting back in. Anyone attempting to communicate with the besieged protestors through the fence is forcibly moved on. After negotiations, between the security firm, police and solicitors acting for the protestors, security guards have been allowing one protestor out under guard to collect water. However, they have completely cut off the supply of food. Under the Criminal law act 1977, the Protection of eviction act 1986 and the housing act 1988, anyone has the right to live in their homes until a possession order has been brought against them in a civil court. This has not been done, making the actions of the security guards illegal. The Hockley protestors are standing firm despite immense pressure and are staying on site, keeping up the presence that has so far prevented building work.

They are living on food reserves saved up through the last months. There is no sign of either an eviction or an end to the siege.