We depend on land for most aspects of our lives. Land is where we live, eat, socialise, recreate and build our communities. However, in London, as elsewhere, we do not have control over how land is used. We do not own it nor are we involved directly in making decisions. Meanwhile, many groups, campaigns, and individuals struggle to create a better city- for more food growing spaces, for better, quality and truly affordable housing, for refurbishment, not demolition, for more parks and green spaces, for greater biodiversity and less pollution, and for spaces where people can come together, eg traditional markets and community centres. All these struggles would be made easier if the land was ours, if land was used for public benefit, if it was a Commons and not owned and controlled by corporations and the wealthy.
To help in the process of building a movement for the Commoning of the city, we are organising a Land Justice Fair to bring us all together with stalls, workshops, music, poetry, and food.
Our aims are:
- Celebrate all the great work that is being done around London
- Bring together a range of London-based community groups and campaigns for whom land- access to and control of- is a major issue for them. This would include: housing, food, community, environment, and recreation.
- Build practical relationships and solidarity between different issue groups, both within a local area and across London
- Work towards creating the basis of a land justice movement in London, one based on practical grass roots activity and common demands
We need money for:
1. Publicity
2. A booklet giving information on all participants to give out on the day
3. Money for workshop expenses
4. Decoration
5. Printing more copies of our Towards a Manifesto for Land Justice
6. Tent for workshops