Key facts
- Hundreds of people were evicted from the Spin Time Labs building in Rome.
- The evicted individuals include children and the elderly.
- The eviction occurred during a heatwave in Rome.
- Spin Time Labs was a social assistance center.
- The Meloni government is implementing a crackdown on squatted properties.
- The building had been occupied for 15 years.
- Critics argue the eviction is inhumane due to the heatwave.
The Italian government, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has evicted hundreds of people from the Spin Time Labs building in Rome, a prominent social assistance center. The eviction has left numerous individuals, including children and the elderly, exposed to Rome's severe heatwave, with many now camping in the streets. This action is part of a broader government initiative to crack down on squatted properties across the country. The Spin Time Labs building, which had been occupied for 15 years, served as a hub for social services and housing for a diverse community. Critics of the eviction argue that the timing, during a period of extreme heat, is particularly harsh and inhumane. The government has stated its intention to reclaim and potentially redevelop properties that have been illegally occupied. The eviction has highlighted the tension between social housing needs and property law enforcement in Rome. The situation has led to protests and calls for alternative housing solutions for those displaced. The government's stance suggests a firm approach to property rights and a desire to clear out long-standing occupations.