Last week, many were shocked to find out about the Edmonton Police Service’s decision to clear eight homeless camp sites this week. A court has now granted interim injunction against EPS and the City.
Crews plan to clear 134 structures at the sites in the Downtown core just days before Christmas. This includes structures at Herb Jamison, the Bissell Centre and Hope Mission, at 95 Street and 101A Avenue, 94 Street and 106 Avenue, 95 Street and 105A Avenue, and the Dawson and Kinnard ravines.
In response to this decision, the city was served with an emergency injunction related to planned encampment closures.
On Monday, concerned by-standers met outside the Edmonton Law Courts building to protest the motion moved forward by EPS.
Sam Mason, the president of the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights was present at the protest and spoke with Windspeaker Media discussing her thoughts on the motion and what needs to be done.
Lee Dreaver has been known to organize many progressive rallies in the city of Edmonton including MMIWG walks in downtown and was front and center at the protest making sure her voice is heard.
The injunction hearing is trying to stop what would be the largest encampment sweep in the city’s history. Counsel for EPS is Jake Westman and has told the court “We’re all here because we’re concerned about Edmonton’s most vulnerable people and their safety. Where we disagree is the way forward.”
EPS spent time focusing on the sexual acts happening in these encampments and wants to provide safety for the less fortunate.
While Avnish Nanda spent his time discussing his and the peoples concern of displacing homeless camps in -20 weather.
The injunction is extended until 4 pm. The judge has strongly encouraged the three parties to figure something out before then and come to him with an agreement.
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