Thank you so much for your amazing support and help ever since we found out that Passing Clouds was secretly sold to developers Landhold Developments last November. And thank you even MORE for the extraordinary display of solidarity, love and commitment you have shown us since we enacted a lawful eviction of County Enforcement Group, the private security firm posing as bailiffs who unlawfully occupied Passing Clouds at 6:30am on Thursday morning. (Read the full story in Time Out HERE)
We are truly humbled and overwhelmed by all the incredible messages of support and solidarity, and forever grateful to all those who have made it possible for us to reclaim our home and maintain security of the venue. Too many to name but you know who you are and WE LOVE YOU ALL!
We feel that our greatest possibility of success in maintaining possession of our precious venue will be a tidal wave of support from the public, the press, political figures, campaign groups, celebrities and our own community whilst at the same time progressing negotiations with Landhold to sell us the building.
And for this WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Here are 12 things that you can do to help the campaign:
1. Sign and share our change.org petition
At the time of writing we are at just under 3,000 signatures - we need millions!! Remember that this is not just about Passing Clouds. Communities are being destroyed by property developers everywhere and it needs to stop NOW. Click HERE to ask Landhold Developments to protect Passing Clouds for life.
2. Make a donation to our JustGiving page
Even if it’s as little as £1. We desperately need the funds necessary to make this campaign go through the roof and anything you can donate will be deeply appreciated and put to good use. Our page can be found HERE.
3. Like, Share, Comment, Tweet any #PASSINGCLOUDSFOREVER Posts and Speak Positively about us on Social Media.
Our hashtag is #PassingCloudsForever
4. Make a Short Video in Support of Passing Clouds
A number of musicians and bands who have performed here as well as members of the community are sending in support videos. This is all very helpful!
5. Send a Quote of Support to [email protected] for our Website
up to around 100 words.
6. Help us find Well-Known Ambassadors/Spokespeople for our Campaign
We are looking for well-known ambassadors from the worlds of music/culture/politics/academia. Feel free to contact directly. A quick email or facebook message is enough.
They can support by providing a quote, tweeting about us, being a spokesperson for the campaign or visiting the venue. We have a great backstage area now and are very happy to host people there during our events. Please contact me ([email protected]) or [email protected] if you have someone in mind to support.
7. Write to Diane Abbott MP and / or Meg Hillier MP
Meg Hillier is our direct MP for Hackney South ward but we also want Diane Abbott to be a spokesperson for Passing Clouds as a vibrant community hub and important platform for diaspora arts and culture.
Diane Abbot's contact is [email protected] and [email protected]
Meg Hillier's contact is [email protected]
We suggest explaining to them why Passing Clouds needs to be saved and how they can help us by being a spokesperson in the media and opening up negotiations with the landlord.
We suggest reading their website for the issues they are most passionate about also. But just writing an email is the most important thing!
8. Pass on any Media Contacts
If you have ideas of publications that might like to feature us, please let us know.
9. Support the campaign in our office or at home
We have a huge amount of campaign administration to get through! If you have any free hours in the week that you could dedicate, please let us know!
10. Help us bring well-known musicians to perform Passing Clouds
Bringing internationally recognized artists such as Sun Ra, Lee Scratch Perry and Osibisa really builds national and international recognition for us as an important live music venue. Please help us continue this work by making suggestions of artists to bring here, or contacting them directly yourself.
11. Help with Media - Film, Photography and Graphic Design
Let us know if you have the skills- We always have need of help with these things.
12. Send unconditional love to Garry Simpson of Landhold Developments
Sending love to your adversaries is always effective in opening up their heartspace for negotiations. Garry Simpson is the main director of the development company that bought Passing Clouds.
you can read about him here: http://www.landhold.com/contact-us
Thank you so much for everything you have done so far. We are feeling SO grateful and for the amount of love and offers of help from you all. If you have contacted us recently offering help but have not yet received a reply, please know that we are reading every single message and working our way through them as quickly as we can. Also know that PASSING