Free space for the Rafelranden
Free space for the Rafelranden
For the fringes of society, the makers, the anarchists, the activists and free thinkers. For those who do not fit the narrative and don’t want to.
For the fringes of society, the makers, the anarchists, the activists and free thinkers. For those who do not fit the narrative and don’t want to.
A world that is closing, a city that we are opening.
We live in a time where the rough edges are being smoothed out, where market forces, power, rules, and control are tightening their grip on the world. An even more dangerous pattern is visible. A world in which oppression is gaining ground.
Where fascism, racism, sexism, queerphobia and transphobia are no longer on the margins, but at the centre of the political debate. Where hate and polarisation grow louder, and the space for deviation shrinks. Where one person’s freedom means another’s suppression.
The parliament is debating about our right to protest. Restricting this right undermines democracy, limits free speech, and gives the government excessive power to silence dissent.
For people of colour, for gender diverse people, for refugees – for everyone that falls outside the norm – the world is becoming increasingly hostile. Safe havens are disappearing. Language is hardening. Legislation restricts, rather than liberates. And we refuse to stand by and watch.
Utrecht is alive, but not for everyone. Utrecht breathes, but less and less freely.
What once was a breeding ground has become an investment.
What once was ours, is becoming unaffordable.
We demand back what has always been ours:
Space to create. Space to fail. Space to simply exist.
We are the fringes, the underground, the creative minds that exist between the lines.
We are the chaos in an increasingly sterile world.
We refuse a city built on profit, consumption and exclusion.
We demand spaces where people can simply be human again.
Where we can play, build, invent, and connect.
This is not nostalgia; this is necessity.
Our free spaces are not just a tribute to creativity, but also a bastion of resistance. A place where you do not have to prove or defend your right to exist. A place where diversity is not merely tolerated but celebrated. Where we build bridges instead of walls.
Free spaces are not a luxury.
We will not be driven out by hate. We will not be reduced to pawns in someone else’s game. We demand our space – for ourselves, for each other, for everyone who doesn’t fit into a rigid world and doesn’t want to.
We build, we care, we create
We believe in the power of self-organisation.
We believe in a community that takes care of each other, especially when the system does not care for us. We believe in freedom. Not the freedom to participate in a capitalist system, but the freedom to exist as you are.
We create places that do not belong to us, yet are carried by us.
Not property. Not a product. But a home.
A home for those who are not welcome anywhere else.
A free space where we share—where we think together, create together, live together.
A place where value is not measured in money but in solidarity.
Where we hold onto each other, instead of driving each other out.
17th of May 2025 we are rising up for the third time, and after that we will keep going.
And we will show everyone how fun it is when we are given the space to play and be, without being judged or condemned based on financial status, productivity, and success. Together.
Because what time is it?
Time for solidarity.
We squat, we break, we claim
We don’t just squat properties, we break down barriers, we crack the system.
Because squatting is more than just occupying empty buildings. Squatting is resistance. Squatting is an act of solidarity. Of community. Of reclaiming our space, of taking back our city.
We break through the learned helplessness and take back control over our own lives. Together.
We refuse to be reduced to consumers and spectators.
A world that is closing, a city that we are opening.
We live in a time where the rough edges are being smoothed out, where market forces, power, rules, and control are tightening their grip on the world. An even more dangerous pattern is visible. A world in which oppression is gaining ground.
Where fascism, racism, sexism, queerphobia and transphobia are no longer on the margins, but at the centre of the political debate. Where hate and polarisation grow louder, and the space for deviation shrinks. Where one person’s freedom means another’s suppression.
The parliament is debating about our right to protest. Restricting this right undermines democracy, limits free speech, and gives the government excessive power to silence dissent.
For people of colour, for gender diverse people, for refugees – for everyone that falls outside the norm – the world is becoming increasingly hostile. Safe havens are disappearing. Language is hardening. Legislation restricts, rather than liberates. And we refuse to stand by and watch.
Utrecht is alive, but not for everyone. Utrecht breathes, but less and less freely.
What once was a breeding ground has become an investment.
What once was ours, is becoming unaffordable.
We demand back what has always been ours:
Space to create. Space to fail. Space to simply exist.
We are the fringes, the underground, the creative minds that exist between the lines.
We are the chaos in an increasingly sterile world.
We refuse a city built on profit, consumption and exclusion.
We demand spaces where people can simply be human again.
Where we can play, build, invent, and connect.
This is not nostalgia; this is necessity.
Our free spaces are not just a tribute to creativity, but also a bastion of resistance. A place where you do not have to prove or defend your right to exist. A place where diversity is not merely tolerated but celebrated. Where we build bridges instead of walls.
Free spaces are not a luxury.
We will not be driven out by hate. We will not be reduced to pawns in someone else’s game. We demand our space – for ourselves, for each other, for everyone who doesn’t fit into a rigid world and doesn’t want to.
We build, we care, we create
We believe in the power of self-organisation.
We believe in a community that takes care of each other, especially when the system does not care for us. We believe in freedom. Not the freedom to participate in a capitalist system, but the freedom to exist as you are.
We create places that do not belong to us, yet are carried by us.
Not property. Not a product. But a home.
A home for those who are not welcome anywhere else.
A free space where we share—where we think together, create together, live together.
A place where value is not measured in money but in solidarity.
Where we hold onto each other, instead of driving each other out.
17th of May 2025 we are rising up for the third time, and after that we will keep going.
And we will show everyone how fun it is when we are given the space to play and be, without being judged or condemned based on financial status, productivity, and success. Together.
Because what time is it?
Time for solidarity.
We squat, we break, we claim
We don’t just squat properties, we break down barriers, we crack the system.
Because squatting is more than just occupying empty buildings. Squatting is resistance. Squatting is an act of solidarity. Of community. Of reclaiming our space, of taking back our city.
We break through the learned helplessness and take back control over our own lives. Together.
We refuse to be reduced to consumers and spectators.
This is not a plea for permission. This is a declaration. This is our moment. Our fight. Our city.And we’re here to take it back.
This is not a plea for permission. This is a declaration. This is our moment. Our fight. Our city.And we’re here to take it back.
