Homeless encampments in Minneapolis have grown beyond the city’s control as left-wing activists physically prevented authorities from taking action.
Since early June, over 55 public parks in Minneapolis have been filled with tents pitched by the homeless, according to the Park and Recreation Board. The Park Board passed a resolution allowing the homeless population to seek “refuge” in public parks earlier this summer, but has now limited the size of encampments to a maximum of 25 tents.
When the city attempted to shut down an encampment Wednesday in Peavy Park following a wave of violence that left two shot, left-wing activists stepped in to physically bar officials from carrying out their duties.
After issuing a call for “bodies comfortable being arrested,” organizer Lauren Josephine said the group she rallied “held cops back, held the line of tents, and physically stopped the bulldozer from being dropped off the trailer.”
POLICE AT PEAVEY, BULLDOZER AT PEAVEY. Bodies comfortable being arrested needed. https://t.co/qCIwK50pxd
— Lauren Josephine 🌹 (@YoLarryJohnson) August 12, 2020
We held cops back, held the line of tents, and physically stopped the bulldozer from being dropped off the trailer. Cops and bulldozer gone, tents still here. So fucking proud of this city for showing up. https://t.co/SGTcljGbfN
— Lauren Josephine 🌹 (@YoLarryJohnson) August 12, 2020
She later posted a photograph (seen above) that shows her group harassing what appears to be either a Minneapolis or Park Police officer trying to unload a small skid loader.
Another image shows a group of individuals standing behind the trailer and one person sitting on top of the equipment.
Apparently, the actions of the activists were prompted by a request from the homeless themselves, who asked for “eviction defense in the form of cop watch, physical intervention, [and] liaison with police and parks” prior to the attempted eviction, per Josephine.
The Park Board notes that although it has designated sites where the construction of encampments is permitted, the largest camps are illicitly positioned outside these areas.
The Park Board also said it has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from the community regarding the camps, and has published a list of crimes that have occurred at just four of the occupied parks (Powderhorn, Peavey, Elliot and Loring) since July 15. Roughly 30 serious crimes have occurred in these parks, including rape, arson and an acid attack.
The board is also concerned that parks may encroach on school zones, compromising the safety of children.
Kyle Hooten
Kyle Hooten is Managing Editor of Alpha News. His coverage of Minneapolis has been featured on television shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight and in print media outlets like the Wall Street Journal.
