Thread by @WeSeeYou_2020

1. Press Statement: #WESEEYOU to appear in Court on Friday, 2 October 2020
30 September 2020
We are a group of seven queer activists and artists who have been occupying a mansion in Camps Bay for just under two weeks. #takeupspace #webelonghere #holdyourground

2. We are here in protest of many issues, that are layered, complex & nuanced - as are our identities as queer people, and as those who have historically been divided by race and class. we have connected across struggle because we are in solidarity

3. we believe in justice, dignity, collective healing and our historical right to be allowed safe space in beautiful areas that we have historically been displaced from, areas we still would never be able to live in. #takeupspace #webelonghere #holdyourground

4. We have received many negative comments including two death threats. Many ppl who don’t understand why we are doing this forget that we are a diverse group who are doing the justice & healing work to hold each other’s experiences, to share our own & to learn from each other

5. There is a process to unlearning, relearning and finding the courage and support to act on our ideas of an ideal world. This has meant we have needed time to rest, to breathe, to heal and connect before making statements. #weseeyou #takeupspace #webelonghere #holdyourground

6. We want to thank everyone who has really listened to what we have to say, who has shown support and who recognizes the broader socio-economic aspects of this artistic protest and occupation. #weseeyou #takeupspace #webelonghere #holdyourground

7. We know that the owner is based overseas, this house is an investment they make about R50 000 a month from. This is more than what you earn monthly to be part of the top 1% of earners in SA. The owner makes more money from this property than our top 1% of earners make working

8. most people who can afford to buy property in Camps Bay use it as investment not as housing. Many are not based in the country or belong to an elite group of high net worth individuals, there are only 32 800 of them in the country yet they control 42 percent of the economy.

9. Our unemployment rate is at nearly 40% & is only getting higher. Occupations across the country are being responded to with police brutality & illegal eviction. Many others are struggling to pay rent. Inequality needs to be addressed; as activists, it is our duty to address it

10.the DA LGBTQIA+ Committee condemned our action saying said there are safe spaces for queer people available. @TriangleOrg, @GenderDynamix have clarified that the majority of vulnerable people dont have safe space. #WESEEYOU

11. there are members of our group who are homeless & unsafe because of their queer identity, who have been through various violences already & we all suffer hate speech online. The homophobic, classist, sexist &racist attention this has brought is taxing in ways we cant explain

12 We received a notice of motion for an immediate eviction from the lawyer who represents the owner and the property management company. Without legal representation, we will be representing ourselves in court on Friday, 2 October 2020. #takeupspace #holdyourground #webelonghere

We have received support from a number of civil society organisations, community activists and individuals and are deeply thankful for the solidarity. We will continue to keep you updated as we can.
In strength and love.
#weseeyou
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