How does a building become a squat? Activists of the movement, who are usually experienced squatters, look out for a non-residential building and, after they are convinced of its abandonment, hack it and barricade themselves inside. If they were not stopped at the same time by the police - half of the battle is won; the next step is to prove that the occupant is in the building for more than 48 hours. No one has the right to put a person out without a trial that can last for weeks or even months. And for that you need a statement from the owner; if such is not available, or the owner is tolerant to squatters, they can stay and live there for years and even decades.
This phenomenon amazes many: the authorities may know that some aliens live in a house, but they can not do anything. However, if the squatters do not violate any laws and do not interfere with their neighbours, they are treated kindly. Here is an example, the inhabitants of the block around the Place des Vosges, where one of the oldest mansions «La Marquise» (l'hôtel Coulanges) was occupied in 2009 by a team of squatters named ”Black Thursday” (Collectif Jeudi noir), say following: "At last we can see the light in these windows!" (“Ainsi squattent-ilssee” is a 2013 documentary by Marie Maffre telling a story about the activities of “Black Thursday" group). Squatters had remained on the Place des Vosges for the whole year, and in October 2010 were, by a court order, evicted and fined a substantial sum. However, they immediately grabbed a vacant building on the Avenue Matignon overlooking the Elysee Palace. Such tireless guys!
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