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Protestors' Tents Raided

Carol Denney
Friday October 07, 2016 - 04:52:00 PM
Rob Williams agreeing with the "Where are we supposed to go?" question chalked on the shattuck sidewalk after the raid.
Carol Denney
Rob Williams agreeing with the "Where are we supposed to go?" question chalked on the shattuck sidewalk after the raid.
 Displaced protesters collected on Shattuck Avenue in front of the Downtown Berkeley Association offices.
Carol Denney
Displaced protesters collected on Shattuck Avenue in front of the Downtown Berkeley Association offices.

The dozen or so tents in front of the Berkeley Food and Housing Project protesting the housing crisis were raided at dawn Friday morning, October 7, 2016, by the City of Berkeley according to several activists now collected in front of the Downtown Berkeley Association's (DBA) headquarters on Shattuck Avenue. 

"We were ready," stated Mike Zint, one of the demonstrators, who had been told only a couple days earlier that the group was not in violation of any laws at the Fairview and Adeline location by police. "There were no arrests." 

The DBA crews that confiscate belongings are out in force all over the downtown, according to the demonstrators, who are attempting to assist each other with human needs such as clothing and food. 

"We could use a licensed driver," said protester Barbara Brust, noting the piled belongings hastily saved that morning from the city workers. The striped tent canopy rescued from the previous location is decorated with "Mike Lee for Mayor" signs. A slogan asking "Where are we supposed to go?" extends the length of the displaced group's belongings and caught the eye of passerby Rob Williams, who applauded the sentiment. 

"In Mexico they have portable bathrooms with attendants," he said, gesturing in support of the group and the chalked question on the sidewalk. 

Zint stated flatly that several elderly, disabled people with nowhere to go are in danger of dying in the coming cold. A call to the mayor's and city manager's office for comment was not returned.