Youth centre demolished

(Copenhagen-March 6, 2007)

Tearful teens looked on as demolition of the Ungdomshuset youth centre began yesterday

As the rubble of the building that until last week housed Copenhagen's Ungdomshuset youth centre fell to the earth, so too did the tears of the teens who for the past quarter century have occupied the four-storey building.

At precisely 8 am, a wrecking machine, painted silver to conceal the name of the company that owns it to prevent retaliation, began demolishing the building the teens have been occupying since 1982.

Before serving as a denizen of alternative culture for the city, the building, originally built in 1897, was known as Folketshus (The People's House), and had witnessed important events in the labour and women's movements. Neglect and concern that the building had become a fire hazard led to the decision to evict the young people.

The demolition yesterday came after the building's new owner, the Faderhuset Christian congregation, concluded that the building was so deteriorated that it could not be renovated.

As the demolition progressed, throngs of supporters and ordinary citizens gathered to watch. Many of the young people likened the destruction to the death of a friend.

Police had deployed extra officers in case the demolition would reignite violent protests after a day of relative calm, but by afternoon the atmosphere in the Nørrebro district was being describe as 'festive', with many of the young people choosing to hold a lively wake for their departed friend - complete with banners and music.

Many felt the violence of the past few days had taken the focus away from the house that is at the centre of the conflict.

'I don't support people throwing cobblestones and setting cars on fire,' a dancing Leon Burvil, 17, told Politiken newspaper. 'And I don't think many of the Ungdomshuset users do either.'

A court had ordered the young people out by 14 December, 2006, but the eviction was postponed as the city council sought to work with the group to find a new building. City politicians said that after the young people refused the options put to them, eviction and demolition was the only option.

'The young people said no to an offer on a silver platter,' said Social Democratic group chair Jesper Christiansen. 'Now the best we can do is to try to prevent more unrest.'

Faderhuset has announced plans to build a Christian centre on the site of the former Ungdomshuset.

From the Copenhagen Post