Dear Friends,

We  regret to inform you that after some long discussions with Tim Boxall (which has been a very difficult proceedure, as he has proved to be very unreasonable and inconsiderate towards everyone, using mannerisms and provocative language that have been sabotaging the work which brings us together and close to the local community). Tim Boxall is the chair of VGCC management commitee.

New Generation has definitely been kicked out of VGCC.

VGCC has changed the locks on Friday 27th November, without informing anybody, even though the time he has given to us is until Sunday 29th November (As publically stated in a notice posted on the front entrance to VGCC by Mr. Boxall) and New Generation particpants and coordinators have been denied access to their equipment.

We are very upset with the attitude and lack of interest we have been shown by all the local authorities that we have contacted, such as Catherine Miller-Bassi (Head of Lambeth Arts), Dawn Bunce (Arts Development Officer), Lambeth Voluntary Action, The Law Society, South London Press, Chris Norris whom we approached and whose answer was ‘ Tim sits opposite me in the same department and I can’t do anything about it’, Boris Johnson (Mayor of London), different Lambeth counsellors who never returned our calls and many more we will be named next week.

This goes to show that we have been regarded with contempt and at no point has our contribution and service to the local and wider London community been acknowledged, due to his strong connections with certain key people who are suppose to be helping groups like ours. As a reminder: Nueva Generacion has been running FREE WORKSHOPS for the community in VGCC for the past 4 years and in London for the past 12 years.

Quick update: We arrived last night for the Samba workshop and were confronted with the change of locks and could not get in, We waited in the cold from 5:30 to 8:30 for them to get in contact with us or to arrive to open the doors for the workshop to take place but we did not get a reponse.  Today Saturday we arrived at 10am with the young people from the area and Mr. Boxall was there and refused to explain to the young people why they could not have their workshop and why they could not take their bikes.  He left saying the centre was closed which the young people could not understand, and went home from the centre and left to go home to call the police who arrived with sirens blaring to find friendly youths with NG members (who by the way are all CRB checked) ready to start their bicycle workshop. The police asked Mr. Boxall to come to the centre to answer to us.  He came and again was evasive and using avoidance tactics with us and refused to let us in and also refused to tell us when we could have access to the premises to our property. We have recorded everything and will send that to you presently. Thanks to Ingrid (Fotosynthesis), Latin Youth Forum, Conejo, Ed, Jimmy, Clare, Collin we were able to save the day and join them at the Old Lillyan Baylis to do T. Shirt printing, photographic workshop, team building games and eat together.

We have made arrangements for our next plan of action to be on Wednesday the 2nd December 2009 from 7am till 9pm. We will be removing all our things from the back hall and we need all the people power we can get: “Every single member of NG, Participants and anyone with good vibes”.  We will be taking some items to the Old Lilyan Baylis School, possibly to Latin American Multicultural Youth and the rest of the things we will be putting outside the centre, well covered and guarded as a sign of protest until we find the right space.

We want to play instruments and let all the neighbourhood know of the injustice they have committed against us and we need your support. If you can’t come on Wednesday then please send us a quick message about how you feel and what NG has done for you.

Please if anyone knows of any free space available straight away contact Paula by phone on 07916747353 or by email on paulamendez_72@hotmail.com

Love to all and we see you on Wednesday.

Please send this message to your friends.