From April 21st to May 2nd, PEOPLE PROJECT enacted an encampment, a
non-violent direct action to expose the criminalization of
houseless people and the human rights violations that accompany an
intentional policy of cruelty. Ultimately, the encampment aimed at
engaging in dialogue and connecting with other people in the
community to generate support for a free, people run, ecologically
sustainable campground. PEOPLE PROJECT participants were
exercising constitutionally protected activities, primarily one’s
freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to sleep.
Over the course of those 11 days, PEOPLE PROJECT witnessed and
received an enormous outpouring of support and found that many residents
were not aware of the situation and policies effecting houseless and poor
people locally. In addition to peaceful dialogue and well attended public
dinners at the encampment wherein people shared their experiences, the
City’s policies and the effects of criminalizing houseless people were
highlighted through the City’s violent actions to repress the encampment
on April 25th. It is important to note, that the City, through numerous
regional police agencies, awakened over 50 encampment participants and
either arrested or forced them to vacate public space despite there being
no
legal location for houseless people to get necessary sleep. Police
also seized vital belongings, including medication, from nearly 100
individuals which further exposed a much repeated human rights
violation wherein the police confiscate and destroy houseless people’s
survival gear.
At a well attended City Council meeting on Wednesday May 2nd, PEOPLE
PROJECT participants, supporters, and observers chastised local
government regarding their behavior and urged them to stop their
policies of harassment and human rights violations. In a rare display
of public outpouring, people spoke of their inspiration generated by
the PEOPLE PROJECT encampment and the true community it created. Not
surprisingly, the Council further exposed their bigotry toward houseless
people and an unwillingness to recognize basic human rights. The only
council member to have visited the encampment, Mr. Paul Pitino, motioned
for a town hall meeting. The other council members remained silent.
Similarly, they failed to respond to the Public’s comments.
The City of Arcata is still holding much of the property that they
seized on April 25th. Earlier on Wednesday May 2nd, police arrested a
man seeking a return of his confiscated medication. He remains jailed.
PEOPLE PROJECT will continue to mobilize and to create safe places
for dialogue and houseless people to exist.