Downtown Edmonton (Photo credits - Ryan Hunt)
The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service continue to dismantle the unhoused community encampments identified as dangerous and unsafe.
They have ordered them to be dismantled through a court order made by the Alberta Courts on Dec. 18. (which is set to be revisited on Jan. 11). As of Jan. 5, five of the eight camps have been dismantled: 95 Street and 105A Avenue, Herb Jamison, Dawson Ravine, 10527 – 96 Street, and Kinnard Ravine.
As the court order was made, there were protests on the city streets, as well as on social media, as Edmontonians expressed their displeasure about the sweeps and the treatment of the people displaced.
According to Jim Gurnett, spokesperson with the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness, the next sweep is set to take place Saturday, Jan. 6 at an encampment in the Hope Mission area. They say the best way to show support for the community is to stand witness to the takedown as it’s happening.
Other ways to support are donating to local organizations (Bissell Centre, Boyle Street Community Services, the Mustard Seed, etc.), and write letters to city leaders, according to Gurnett.
Listen to the interview with Jim Gurnett below:
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