The potential return of the eviction dossier to the Provincial Committee for Order and Security has rekindled political tensions in Rome, focusing particularly on Spin Time in Via Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. This facility, a well-known and often debated entity in the Roman landscape, faces renewed scrutiny, with any decision expected after the Christmas and January 6th Jubilee period. This timeline has immediately brought the issue back to the forefront of political discourse.
A Radical Solution or a Necessity?
Left-leaning political groups are urgently calling for dialogue, while right-wing parties demand strict legal adherence. This divide highlights not only the immediate fate of Spin Time but also the broader challenges Rome faces in balancing social welfare with urban regulations. The ongoing debate serves as a critical test of how the city addresses its housing crisis and the role of grassroots initiatives in providing essential services.
The Plea from Sinistra Civica Ecologista
In response to the circulating information about a possible eviction, Sinistra Civica Ecologista has requested an urgent meeting with the Prefect of Rome. The request was signed by Claudio Marotta, group leader of Sinistra Civica Ecologista in the Lazio Region, and Sandro Luparelli, group leader in the Capitoline Assembly, along with deputy Francesca Ghirra and the president of Rome VIII municipality, Amedeo Ciaccheri.
In their note, the signatories emphasize that “Spin Time is a reality that houses hundreds of people and has for years played a fundamental social, residential, and cultural role,” warning that an eviction “would open up a very serious social emergency.” Hence, they request that any decision be made through institutional and political dialogue, avoiding “exclusively security-driven choices.”
The Democratic Party: “Solidarity Cannot Be Evicted”
The Democratic Party of Rome has echoed this sentiment. Secretary Enzo Foschi described Spin Time as “a place of concrete solidarity, rich in positive initiatives,” animated by secular and Catholic associations and volunteers daily committed to supporting vulnerable families and children.
For Foschi, “to think of transforming a place of such great humanity into a public order problem is insane and unacceptable.” The Democratic secretary recalled how the value of this experience has been recognized over time by institutions and the Vatican, reiterating that “solidarity cannot be evicted.”
Fratelli d’Italia’s Stance
Fratelli d’Italia holds an opposing view. Capitoline councilor Federico Rocca called for “making clarity once and for all” on the Spin Time case, criticizing what he calls the center-left’s tolerance towards illegal occupations in the Capital.
According to Rocca, it is a building occupied without titles, authorizations, or certifications, where utilities are allegedly not paid. The councilor also recalled the incident of the removal of seals and the reconnection of electricity, raising questions about who is currently bearing the energy costs.
What is Spin Time Today?
The building at Via Santa Croce in Gerusalemme 55, an imposing former Inpdap headquarters in the heart of the Esquilino district, embodies one of the most significant urban trajectories in the Capital. Originally built as a public administrative center, the building remained abandoned for years until October 2013, when the housing movement Action forced its gates to respond to the housing emergency of dozens of families.
From that first occupation, “Spin Time Labs” was born, a bottom-up regeneration project that transformed disused offices into a unique social ecosystem, hosting a concert hall, a popular tavern, and editorial offices. The building’s story entered international debate in May 2019 when Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Pope Francis’ almoner, personally descended into the basements to reactivate the electricity, symbolically marking the building’s transition from an “urban void” to a stronghold of solidarity and culture in the center of Rome. Today, the building houses about 180 families, totaling hundreds of people, including numerous minors.
Inside the building, there are coworking activities, training and professional development courses, cultural initiatives, workshops, aggregation spaces, and mutual aid services, which have made Spin Time a reference point for social movements, associations, and solidarity networks in the city. “Spin Time, Che Fatica La Democrazia!” is the name of the documentary directed by Sabina Guzzanti which, published in 2021, recounted its story.
The Potential Purchase
In 2022, a discussion was initiated in the Capitoline about the acquisition of the building by the Municipality of Rome. The building, in fact, represents a case study of social economy with certified value.
According to an analysis conducted by Open Impact, the regularization of the property by the Capitoline would generate an almost doubled social return: for every euro invested by Roma Capitale in acquisition and maintenance (for a total of about 36.7 million euros), the community would receive almost two in terms of well-being, with an estimated social value produced of 71.55 million euros.
This ‘multiplier’ of 1.95 is reflected in the data on the internal life of the community, where a 0% school dropout rate among resident minors stands out, and an intense mixed welfare activity involving 24 organizations and over 420 workers. Precisely for this reason, the Capitoline Administration has expressed its willingness to overcome the logic of public order to initiate a mediation process with the property, aiming to transform Spin Time into a virtuous model of urban regeneration and reception to be permanently exported into the city’s fabric.
A Question of Priorities and Justice
The Spin Time saga is more than just a local dispute; it is a microcosm of the broader ideological struggle over urban development, social welfare, and the role of civil society in modern cities. The differing perspectives from various political factions underscore the complex challenges faced by Rome’s administration. Will the city prioritize legalistic interpretations of property rights, or will it embrace the social and cultural value that Spin Time has demonstrably created?
The outcome of this debate will not only determine the future of hundreds of individuals and families but also set a precedent for how Rome, and indeed other major European cities, navigate the delicate balance between order and compassion, regulation and community empowerment. The eyes of many will be on Rome as it grapples with this critical decision, a decision that will speak volumes about its commitment to its most vulnerable citizens and its vision for an inclusive urban future.
Source: https://www.lacapitale.it/articolo/spin-time-sgombero-scontro-politico-roma
