homeless sweep dirupted in Fresno FWD
Tom Boland (wgcp@earthlink.net)
Thu, 15 Jan 1998 23:10:52 -0800 (PST)
FWD via "Food Not Bombs" List: http://www.tao.ca/~fnbtor/fnb-l/
Wed, 14 Jan 1998
From: Dallas B <harlo@qnis.net>
Organization: Fresno Food Not Bombs
To: fnb-l@tao.ca
HOMELESS SWEEP DISRUPTED IN FRESNO
The Fresno police Department conducted a homeless sweep at the park
which Fresno fnb serves on Jan. 10th. The 10th is the anniversary of
Fresno fnb. The sweep began an hour before our regular serving time.
Fortunately we were there setting up for a celebration of our
anniversary and were able to dirupt the sweep.
The sweep began with 6 police cars converging on a picnic shelter
frequented by homeless folks who are regulars at our meals. Then we saw
a garbage truck enter the park. During prior sweeps the police would
arrest the homeless and throw away their belongings.
Seven of us quickly went over to see if we could help. As we
approuched one cop asked what we wanted. We said that we were there in
support of our friends (the homeless people). To this the officer asked
if we were challenging him.
No. We're simply here to observe our city employees doing their
jobs. Which we have a legal right to do.
We then got into a debate with the officers present over whether we
had a right to observe them. During this time the officers threatened
to arrest the homeless people if we didn't leave. We asked the homeless
folks if they wanted us to leave and also let them know that if they
were arrested we would join them by blockading the police cars. To this
the homeless said 'stay if you want'.
Then the police decided to back down. They gave the homeless
citations for littering in the park and for having a dog not on a
leash. After that they left. Normaly the police would have searched
the entire park for other homeless encampments.
We then went back to setting up for the anniversary celebration. We
had over 150 people come out for the meal. Which included live music
and was well covered in the local media.
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