Hellarity: R.I.P.

Part of the Berkeley/Oakland Diggers Organization for seven years, and independent for at least that long, Hellarity House it would seem has seen it's heyday. Last week the motion to squash was denied by an Alameda County Judge. The property owner of seven years never agreed to collect rent, so stupidly he simply paid the morgage - for seven whole years. With tradeshare and a fair rental agreement the house would be much closer to immaculate than simply, "livable," and his lack of insight must be noted and severely criticized. The property owner's mortgage was around $17,000, so rent could have been around $1500 a month plus utilities and any additional renovation. We should ignore that mans lack of vision. The house has reportedly had two amazing events with music since the time of court ruling. Hellarity wasn't just a squater house, or a traveller house, it was an alternative to social services in some ways, although obviously to a lesser degree. With the failure of county services, even failures within the Occupy movement, Hellarity was a place where meals could be cooked, communication could be had, community organization could take place, networking could be acomplished here. It was a safehouse for individuals otherwise disenfrancised by capitalism. Never in my lifetime have I ever met so many creative individuals outside of art school, in such a short period of time. I would seem to have made deep connections there that I will at least remember and cherish for some time to come, and also revisited with many older friends from times past as well. Hellarity you will be missed.

I found this on facebook by Mr. Riot:

There once was a place
In dear, old Oakland
No matter who you were
There was a place to say
Food was always on the table
... A friend was always near
Interesting people
All the times they shared
For years and years
It's influence expanded world-wide
Despite solidarity, a sad ending
To (A) space that certainly commands more
Still all the memories remain
Through layers of paint and fragile minds
A new era emerges.

MAY HELL REST IN CRUST.
xoxo