For years, squatters have been living in abandoned buildings in New York's East Village and Lower East Side. In spite of the risk that one day they could be forced out, squatters have often improved the buildings dramatically, investing time and money in an effort to create a home. Recently however, the New York City police department launched a large raid on several squats, forcing the residents out. While the city argues these buildings had been illegally co-opted, the squatters argue the law protects their rights as homesteaders. Beth Fertig of member station WNYC reports that now the matter has gone to court.
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