:Roma housing struggle:

As I stated earlier it has been an eventful start of 2009. And there has just been another incident. Here, i will copy/paste information of what happened, made by activists who were on the spot. The rest of us joined them in protest and will continue to do so until the problem is resolved.

“On Friday morning (April 3rd), the forcible and violent eviction of Roma families living in the Block 67 neighborhood began. The residents of this community say that the demolitions began during a surprise invasion beginning at six in the morning led by heavy police presence and special forces. Police brutality resulted in an emergency evacuation of two women from the community. Peoples’ entire belongings were left behind in the ruins. A part of the community is now spending the night in front of the City Council. They are without warm clothes, blankets, food, and medicine (many people had to leave them behind). Residents say that during the day unidentified youth on motorcycles were provoking and instilling fear in the community.

In the meantime, no alternative housing has been secured by the city government, nor is anyone taking care of these needs. Belgrade’s Major Djilas announced that it is "necessary that they be removed from that area so that we can build a new boulevard necessary for the development of the city, and holding of events being planned in the future." He also threatened to deploy police forces to remove any protesters attempting to bloc the streets. These actions were preceded by a media campaign that justified the expulsion of Roma living in New Belgrade under "security" and "city image" considerations in the lead up to the Universiade 2009. Through his statements, Major Dragan Djilas has contributed to the fascist relationship towards Roma citizens and justified the destruction of their homes. As an "alternative" the city officials are suggesting to remove the building of a fence around the community so that "the city's deformities won't be seen during the Universiade."

Does this mean that the Universiade will be paid for with human lives if necessary?

Our fellow citizens who have been left without home are determined to fight for their rights, their right to life, freedom, housing and work.“