Clearing of Chicago homeless encampment sparks controversy
Clearing of Chicago homeless encampment sparks controversy
Community members are holding a rally outside Ald. Samantha Nugent's office, calling for an end to what they describe as the "criminalization of homelessness."
CHICAGO - Community leaders rallied outside the office of 39th Ward Alderwoman Samantha Nugent on Tuesday to protest what they called the "criminalization of homelessness" following an Accelerated Moving Event at a homeless encampment in Gompers Park.
What we know:
During a cold snap last month, abandoned property and illegal yurts were removed from the encampment. Earlier this month, an Accelerated Moving Event (AME) gave encampment members the opportunity to transition into housing; however, the process to move could take up to 90 days.
In the meantime, city officials say they are not forcing anyone to leave the park.
Rally organizers claim the city's actions put vulnerable individuals at greater risk during the extreme weather.
They also allege that the AME held last week lacked the promised safety precautions, further endangering those displaced from the encampment.
The backstory:
The homeless encampment at Gompers Park had been a point of contention among community members for months.
Neighbors expressed concerns about safety issues, including reports of drug use, fires, and off-leash dog attacks. The Gompers Park Athletic Association also faced potential disruptions to youth baseball games and practices due to the encampment.
What they're saying:
The Restore Gompers Park Coalition released a statement criticizing the protest.
"The Restore Gompers Park Coalition has worked tirelessly for months to push for an Accelerated Moving Event; we are glad that 100 percent of AME participants are moving forward with the housing process, per the press release issued by the Mayor’s Press Office on March 7. We have heard from numerous local residents who are happy to hear about this win-win solution for everyone. However, many in the local community have expressed their disdain for this protest today. Protesting the alderman’s office does not help the unhoused. Spewing extreme rhetoric is a distraction and an affront to the efforts underway to provide housing and wraparound services to those in Gompers Park. We denounce the continued attempts to create chaos and disruption by this vocal minority of individuals."
What's next:
The rally is expected to draw advocates, residents, and possibly city officials.
Organizers say they are calling for more compassionate and safety-focused approaches to handling homeless encampments in Chicago.
The Source: The information from this article was provided by rally organizers and FOX 32 Chicago.