A protest camp in Abbotsford has been cleared out.
The city successfully sought an enforcement court order to get a group of homeless people camped out at a parking lot to leave. They had until 4 p.m. today to do so, and most left before the deadline.
The camp at Jubilee Park had been there since October and the residents of the camp spent most of the day packing up.
“I don’t want to be arrested, because that would be stupid,” says Harvey Clause, one of the protesters.
Abbotsford Police were given the power to arrest anyone who didn’t want to leave by the deadline.
“We’ve been able to connect, re-connect three people today in the park with social assistance. We’ve been able to secure two spaces in recovery houses for two individuals, a male and a female,” says Deb Lowell from the Abbotsford Salvation Army.
However, not everyone wants to go to a shelter. Those who do not want to give up their pets or their addictions say they will move to another Abbotsford park.
The city took legal action after about 20 people set up a wooden barricade as a wind break around several tents in the encampment.
The injunction is the latest in a series of disputes between homeless residents and the city.
Officials apologized earlier this year for dumping chicken manure on the grounds of a different camp in Abbotsford in an effort to oust the homeless.
Critics of what has happened these past few months say something more has to be done.
“It’s the Abbotsford shuffle, right?” says Jesse Wegenast from 5 and 2 Ministries. “You move 100 feet one way and then you move 100 feet the other way. We saw it between the park and the structure, we’re going to see it again today. It won’t be 100 feet, we’ll may maybe move them 400 metres from here, but that just seems to be the way it goes.”
Ten acres of residential land has been offered to 5 and 2 Ministries by a local family for those needing a place to camp out, but it’s not clear if Abbotsford will approve its use.
“While this entire story is certainly one that none of us take pride in, or are happy with the fact that folks find themselves in these circumstances, I do feel that we’ve done everything possible to make sure this is a successful day and I believe it’s occurred,” says Abbotsford deputy city manager Jake Rudolph.
– With files from Darlene Heidemann
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