The Latest From People's Park

The Latest From People’s Park

By Kendall Worth!

 

https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/city-hall/peoples-park-none-of-this-is-sustainable/

Since July 17^th, 2022 the City has continued to leave People’s Park alone; however, as each day goes by, concerns continue to be raised!

This morning, July 29^th, 2022 the following was posted on Twitter:

@MutualAidHfx

PREPARE FOR A CALL-OUT:

This morning, @hfxgov Bylaw told residents of People's Park that @HfxRegPolice will be forcibly evicting them.

Park residents are asking supporters to STAND BY.

PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE PARK until we send a call out, approved by the residents.

 

 

Between July 17^th 2022, and today, July 29^{th 2022}, I have made several visits to People’s park to show my support. I will admit that these days there are fewer tents compared to when that homeless encampment first got up and running. Sources tell me there are only 2 to maybe 5 people at the most left staying at the park. However, anytime I have gone to visit I have seen anywhere between 3 and 6 people present at the park. Of course, some of them are volunteers. The big question remains --- if the police do come along and forcibly evict occupants today or soon, where are the people they are evicting supposed to go? There is no housing out there for them, and shelters are full.

Over these past 2 weeks both residents and volunteers have told me that on most mornings since July 17th, they have been getting a visit from an HRM Employee driving a pick-up truck with HRM advertised on it. These sources tell me that he shows up at the park with fencing, to set up around the park, in the back of his pick-up truck. When the truck shows up at the park, the volunteers are always so far, always successful at negotiating with the city employee and within a few minutes, he leaves the park and continues on with his work day. He does not return to the park for the rest of the day.

Residents and volunteers do worry though, that one of these days, the police will be coming by to forcibly, possibly violently, evict them. Then the fencing will go up so they cannot get back in.

Right now with the Provincial Legislature sitting, would be good time for the province to step up and find housing that is affordable, safe and suitable for the maybe 2-5 people still in the park.