Christiania - a 34 ha anarchist free state in the middle of Copenhagen - is seen as proof that anarchist self-governance can work.
In 1971, the former military area was occupied, and in 1972 it was recognized as a social experiment. Over the years, the residents of Christiania have made various agreements with the institutions of the Danish government regarding fundamental issues such as electricity, water, and school attendance.
However, the center-right government in power since 2001 is actively trying to take action against Christiania. Police squads have repeatedly stormed the area to enforce compliance with Danish laws. The culmination of this development came with the ruling of the competent court on May 26, 2009, which decided that the usage rights to the area belong to the Danish government. This provides the legal basis for an eviction. The municipality's lawyer, Knud Foldschack, announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Sources:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freistadt_Christiania
http://www.ftd.de/politik/europa/:Freistaat-in-Kopenhagen-Hippies-ohne-H%FCtten/519344.html?nv=cd-rss220
http://www.netzeitung.de/politik/ausland/1366599.html
http://www.ln-online.de/unterhaltung/2598244/%22Freistaat_Christiania%22_unterliegt_vor_Gericht.htm
In 1971, the former military area was occupied, and in 1972 it was recognized as a social experiment. Over the years, the residents of Christiania have made various agreements with the institutions of the Danish government regarding fundamental issues such as electricity, water, and school attendance.
However, the center-right government in power since 2001 is actively trying to take action against Christiania. Police squads have repeatedly stormed the area to enforce compliance with Danish laws. The culmination of this development came with the ruling of the competent court on May 26, 2009, which decided that the usage rights to the area belong to the Danish government. This provides the legal basis for an eviction. The municipality's lawyer, Knud Foldschack, announced plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Sources:
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freistadt_Christiania
http://www.ftd.de/politik/europa/:Freistaat-in-Kopenhagen-Hippies-ohne-H%FCtten/519344.html?nv=cd-rss220
http://www.netzeitung.de/politik/ausland/1366599.html
http://www.ln-online.de/unterhaltung/2598244/%22Freistaat_Christiania%22_unterliegt_vor_Gericht.htm
