Let’s challenge
your assumptions. When you think about a squatter, what do you mean?
A young outsider, perhaps a single guy. He's a freeloader who either
sells drugs or drinks a lot of alcohol. Probably a little smelly? He
can break into your home when you're on holiday. Moreover, he's
arrogant enough to wear your bathrobe and ask: "Who are you?"
when you come back. This is a stereotypical image of squatting.
First of all it's
important to understand the meaning of the term "squatter".
In simple words, squatter is a person who occupies an abandoned or
residential building without the owner’s permission.
We can distinguish
several sub-groups of squatters. Usually, they are young people for
whom a squat is a temporary dwelling. Another group consists of
artists who need a place to exhibit their work and organise
alternative events. A lot of them treat squatting as a lifestyle. The
last group is led by anti-government squatters who organise protests
against economic inequality.
Think this is a bit
too perfect? So do I ! The ones who give squatters a bad name are
homeless individuals with addiction problems or mental disorders.
Some squatters want
to live differently, not work for a murderous oppressive system, and
do their own thing.
Even though the
majority of people mainly choose to be squatters due to economic
reasons, squatting, especially in residential building, is still
illegal and punishable.
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