Today, Wednesday August 26th, the city came back again at 5am to sweep away about 100 people from where many of them had been staying for months. Residents of this area were specifically told by police they did not know where they could move to. At least off camera they admitted the truth!@# Many people were in tears and turmoil trying to figure out where to move after the sweep. A couple people were given one or two night hotel vouchers…and than they will be back on the streets dealing with the same search for where to stay as they await housing to be made attainable.
Four protesters were arrested after being in the street briefly trying to film the situation. Police bumrushed them, brutally hurting at least two of them, and arresting 4 people simply for being in the street for a short time, most not even blocking traffic. A few minutes later, people were standing in the street doing the exact same thing right in front of police and none of them were arrested. Yet another example why money to fund police should be used on housing and resources, not police.
Hear the voices from the street.
Words from the Street…Before August 26th Sweep
It’s very stressful, this constant moving.
They are complicating our survival.
We have a right to be here, we have a right not to go to the shelter with bed bugs.
Fuck the Puercos
It makes me feel good that people care and are helping.
I have no where to go.
We are not cattle.
Until they offer me a home, I will be in this spot with my tent.
This is where my case manager can find me, my path to housing.
Give me one logical reason why I have to move.
The only way I will move my stuff is if they hand me a lease to an apartment.
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