Anybody got any idea what was going on around the Binz/Uelibergstrasse area in Zurich last night (Saturday night)?
Reason I ask is that when I arrived home at about 1.30am this morning there were bicycles strewn absolutely everywhere near the junction with Bachtobelsrasse which I haven't seen before - very strange...........and I woke up this morning to find my own bicycle stolen from the bike stand beside my apartment - it had been locked and secured so I guess it was taken by somebody with a lock cutters who targeted the area because of all the bikes - but I've no idea why everybody arrived to the area with bikes late last night (all gone this morning)

You are right someone went for a big job apparently:-) First collected all the bicycles around your block, then loaded them on a truck, and soon will be selling them on a flea market, freshly colored and branded :-)

Sorry for your bike. though, you should check with the police now.

Don't know, but there was a lot of drunken noise about 6 or so, and when I went for a run about 8 there were a load of drunk people wandering around, and one couple snogging like mad in front of Mezzo, half an hour later when I got back they were still at it and showing no sign of flagging but they'd moved across the road, maybe they needed to take a drink from the fountain at the station.

There was a huge party at the squatters factory ( a small alternative community)

No idea exactly what it was as I was half-asleep and couldn't be bothered to look out of my window, but there was a ton of noise from people screaming, shouting, and throwing stuff around. The other week our apartment bin was torched (all that was left was a charred and melted mess in the morning), and the last couple of weeks there has been glass all down the pavement on the road next to me. It's only a recent development though, normally it's quiet as chuff, so feck knows who's doing it.

Where is that? I know there's a new squatters apartment in Friesenberg very close to a friends house, is that the one you mean?

Oh, is that what that kip of a warehouse/shed place is? I took a wander over in that direction this afternoon to suss it out cause I thought there was the dull thud of music from there last night alright, is it some sort of underground rave thing they have going on?

I thought there was no crime in Switzerland!

Its actually a small community that has over 30 people living there. The party was to raise money for legal fees to fight the city so they can stay there longer. Its actually a pretty cool place inside, I was surprised that such a place even existed in Zurich. I hope they win (which they won't) but still it adds a bit of color to this grey town. Sorry about your bike, but it could happen anywhere.

I hope they lose and get chucked out, I can't stand squatters. The first thing they did when they moved into the Friesenberg one was graffiti the building, and stick up banners essentially telling people to go **** themselves.

The police should just be able to go in and boot anyone out who doesn't have legal entitlement to be in an apartment block. They will just inevitably trash the place even more than they alreadz have before eventually moving on, leaving someone poor soul with a huge cleaning and repairs bill.

Don't worry they will lose, they always lose. But like I said at least they add some color to this grey and overly sterile town. A bit of colorful art never hurt anyone.

Not sure. Its a fairly sized factory, not apartments.

probably Auslander !

Leave the Squatters alone. I agree that they give color to the community, and while yes the stereotype gives most of them a bad name, there are a few bad people that ruin it for everyone, just like any other "type" of group of people. I always see the alternatives around the train station and have never had any inappropriate behavior from them. What you have to remember is that a lot of squatters are actually homeless youth. They come from terrible homes, sometimes have been abused or basically just unwanted by their families. It is no wonder that they have a jaded outlook on life, and people outside of their circle. It is no wonder when they are judged on the fact that a few of them can be troublemakers. They are just looking for an alternative lifestyle, not to conform to the rules, and trying to make their own way. Go squatters, stick it to the man! Please remember not to judge a book by the cover!

Would you think the same if it happened to be your property?

I agree on the grey city and the weird love of the Swiss for concrete... but there is a difference between an alternative lifestyle and stealing and destroying others' property. You can live very colorfully and different without the need to raise money for legal cases...

I have no idea where to start with this...are you for real??

Most likely true, and I commend your willingness not to judge, and your seemingly free spirit...but

Made a few changes there...FYI I'll be walking round the HB today with a collection for squatters, can I put you down for CHF50??

They can stick it to me but the day they squat in my house I'll just lock the doors and burn it down. If they can make it stick in court, best of luck to them.

Is this the place you're talking about? (see attached photo) They presently have a large Teddy Bear hanging from a noose on a hangman's gallows (fail to see the significance of that).

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If a squatter was in YOUR house it would actually be called breaking and entering. The reason why they are called squatters, is because on some terms it IS legal (in the states anyways, not sure on the laws here, I am sure there are PLENTY.) The reason being, is that they usually inhabit abandoned warehouses, buildings ect. If you are in fact the owner of the warehouse, I apologize. Ever heard of a lock? If this building is in use, then they wouldn't be there. Also, feel free to put me down for a 50 CHF donation. If they want to use it for a teddy bear to hang on a noose, that is up to them, I give with a willingness in my heart and in good will. I was being just a bit cheeky on my "stick it to the man" comment, and was a joke. However, I would rather my swiss taxes go to helping them have a home, and not on the streets stealing to pay for somewhere to live, then my US taxes going to illegal immigrants who expect something for nothing, and sneak into the country to cause problems and sit on their asses. I am a free spirit, and yes sometimes I agree that people should be free to live the life they would like. Apart from harming or disturbing others. Of course who is to judge these lines. I suppose that is why we have a government, and can shove it to all the anti-establishments out there. I guess I am just a hippie who dreams of a world where we all get along, help and love each other. Wouldn't that be nice.

You say that illegal immigrants in the US expect something for nothing and squatters are poor individuals that do not get enough help from the government?!

Sorry, but most illegal immigrants around the globe are risking their lifes for a chance to work and live in decency, not for getting something for free.
Swiss folks on the other hand, who get quite good social insurances and then decide to not pay rent but break into other peoples property, live on stealing and drug trade... are better??? Seriously WTF. Not sure about the laws elsewhere, but here in Switzerland it is surely not legal.
Close to my home, they have taken over a house that was not empty for years, but just a month or two as the owner planned to renew it. Still loks pretty fine on the street view photo taken a year or so ago. You should go there and have a look at it right now.

http://maps.google.ch/?ie=UTF8&ll=47...,65.97,,0,3.46

I believe I am quite open to alternative lifestyles and honestly do not care if they hang a teddy bear. But they either should do this on their own property or pay the rent... I went to collegel in a rather alternative environment and have seen quite some communes that have decided to live differently but peacefully and did not need force or violence to get what they needed.

The places usually ARE locked, squatters generally force their way in via windows etc. Also your logic is somewhat dubious... if the building wasn't used they wouldn't be there? Erm, ok. Never mind that the owners may have a valid reason for it being empty, or that it may be in the process of being renovated... actually, who gives a ****, ITS THEIR SODDING PROPERTY THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY LIKE WITH IT. Just because your car is empty on the side of the street because you don't use it for a few weeks doesn't give me free reign to hot-wire it for a lengthy joyride, and the same principles applies to anyone elses legal property that you don't have permission to use.

Your "yeah man, free spirit" logic somewhat conveniently discounts any inconvenience caused to anyone else, something i've fond quite consistent with the hippy crowd i've encountered over the years. It's a philosophy that i've found allows for quick justification for a number of actions, all of which are generally a complete pain in the arse to all the normal citizens surrounding them. If anyone could do what they wanted merely by uttering the words "free spirit" then I would round up all of said squatters, stick them in stocks, and invite the public to throw fruit and veg at them. But no, the same ooman rights that allow them this ridiculous loop hole to hijack the things of people who actually work for a living stops me from doing that.

If squatters left a place exactly as they found it then and cleaned up before moving on then yes, people may be more tolerant. However, since the rooms usually end up shlt-encrusted, plss-stained skag-dens that probably take months to get the smell of seven-month old armpit sweat out of, they are quite rightly regarded as one mild rung above common lake detritus.

No, that kind of world would be unimaginably dull, thank goodness you're in the minority.

/rant over, sorry.