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"Keep your coins - I want change"
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Background
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Latest updates
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(The history of the campaign as it has developed can be seen by scrolling to the bottom of the page, to RAPAR’s first press release on the homeless camp (20/04/15). Updates are in the right column and below.)
On 15/04/15 a tent camp of around twenty homeless people (this number has now risen) appeared in Albert Square, Manchester, outside the city’s town hall and council offices, stating aims of raising the profile of the issue of homelessness in the Manchester area, seeking meaningful engagement from the council on homelessness, and protesting against the broader context of austerity and severe cuts to services and jobs. On April 20th council staff attempted to serve an Order for Possession to evict the camp. Camp members resisted this attempt by not accepting the papers, and later the courts postponed the eviction pending further hearings. On April 27th the camp decided to move around the corner to St Peter’s Square, outside Manchester’s public Central Library, stating its intention to remain visible in Manchester’s public spaces until genuine commitments are made by the city council. The next day the council served notice to quit this new site, which the camp has so far resisted through legal means. The situation soon took another turn through the council’s decision to bring in police officers and G4S private security guards at the entrance to the library, employing an unknown ‘profiling’ method to effectively bar homeless people (or people adjudged by the guards to be homeless) from entering the public library. This was despite confirmation that there is no legal justification for this. The library also houses homeless services for the local area. On Saturday 9th May a demonstration involving 200-300 people voiced solidarity with the homeless camp and protested the ‘social cleansing’ represented by the Council’s barring of the homeless from the public library. An appeal against eviction from the St Peter’s Sq camp will be heard on Thursday 17th May at Manchester Civil Justice centre at 10am – a solidarity demonstration has been called for 9.15am outside the court. On 09/05/15 the camp released an agreed statement of 'What We Stand For and What We Want', which reads as follows: ------------------------------ WHAT WE STAND FOR AND WHAT WE WANT
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1/10/2015 - COURT VICTORY YESTERDAY BUT WOMAN, 17, HAS DISAPPEARED SINCE MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL USED COURTS TO BREAK UP ST ANNE’S SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP
Read the full press release here. DIRECTIONS HEARING FOR INJUNCTION CASE: 30th SEPTEMBER 2015
10.00AM MANCHESTER CIVIL JUSTICE CENTRE 1 BRIDGE STREET MANCHESTER GREATER MANCHESTER M60 9DJ See the Latest Press Release HERE... SOLIDARITY DEMO! 1PM SATURDAY 1ST AUGUST 2015, ST. ANNE'S SQUARE, CENTRAL MANCHESTER! BRING TENTS, GAZEBOS ETC!
See full press release... |
Updates
COURT VICTORY YESTERDAY BUT WOMAN, 17, HAS DISAPPEARED SINCE MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL USED COURTS TO BREAK UP ST ANNE’S SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP
Homeless Movement challenging Manchester City Council
“Having being involved in the homeless camps from day one, today as given me hope! However, we are very worried about Shanice Romanienko.”
(Wesley Dove, 30, born in Beswick, Homeless)
“You don't even pass the starting gate…There are nine inches of paperwork beside me... A wholly inappropriate way to proceed in litigation that seeks to deprive citizens of their liberty.”
(Judge Gore QC to Barrister Arron Walthall for Manchester City Council (MCC))
“Now, can I stop worrying about facing jail? I didn’t choose to be homeless and don’t want to be punished for having nowhere.”
(Nathan (Stretch) Cary, 29, born in Moston, Homeless)
“The Victory, though glorious, is Pyrrhic. Do MCC intend to issue a fresh application to commit my clients to prison? If yes, legal arguments must be properly aired. If no, by 10am tomorrow, they should apply to County Court for the injunction order to be discharged immediately. We are waiting.”
(Ben Taylor, WTB Solicitor acting for three of the seven Defendants)
When they created their camp in Albert Square seven months ago (April 2015), the isolated, homeless people who gathered together, away from doorways, alleyways and pavements in Manchester’s City Centre, felt safe for the first time...
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
Homeless Movement challenging Manchester City Council
“Having being involved in the homeless camps from day one, today as given me hope! However, we are very worried about Shanice Romanienko.”
(Wesley Dove, 30, born in Beswick, Homeless)
“You don't even pass the starting gate…There are nine inches of paperwork beside me... A wholly inappropriate way to proceed in litigation that seeks to deprive citizens of their liberty.”
(Judge Gore QC to Barrister Arron Walthall for Manchester City Council (MCC))
“Now, can I stop worrying about facing jail? I didn’t choose to be homeless and don’t want to be punished for having nowhere.”
(Nathan (Stretch) Cary, 29, born in Moston, Homeless)
“The Victory, though glorious, is Pyrrhic. Do MCC intend to issue a fresh application to commit my clients to prison? If yes, legal arguments must be properly aired. If no, by 10am tomorrow, they should apply to County Court for the injunction order to be discharged immediately. We are waiting.”
(Ben Taylor, WTB Solicitor acting for three of the seven Defendants)
When they created their camp in Albert Square seven months ago (April 2015), the isolated, homeless people who gathered together, away from doorways, alleyways and pavements in Manchester’s City Centre, felt safe for the first time...
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
HOMELESS WILL ‘VIGOROUSLY DISPUTE’ WITH COUNCIL IN COURT
Four out of the seven people charged, currently represented
“Sunday’s March is an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with the homeless in Manchester, in Calais... wherever they are!”
The first hearing of Manchester City Council’s application to commit homeless individuals to prison has been listed to be heard on 30th September 2015 at 10.30am at Manchester County Court.
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
Four out of the seven people charged, currently represented
“Sunday’s March is an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with the homeless in Manchester, in Calais... wherever they are!”
- Directions hearing 30th September, 10.30am, Manchester County Court, 1 Bridge St W, Manchester M60 9DJ
- Homeless Tents on main route of National TUC 4th October demonstration against Austerity and Racism
The first hearing of Manchester City Council’s application to commit homeless individuals to prison has been listed to be heard on 30th September 2015 at 10.30am at Manchester County Court.
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
Being Homeless is Not a Crime!
Council seeks injunction to make homeless people living on the streets in tents a crime. Case was adjourned till 30th July. Legal Aid for two homeless people in the court was refused!
Council seeks injunction to make homeless people living on the streets in tents a crime. Case was adjourned till 30th July. Legal Aid for two homeless people in the court was refused!
Salford Star Article : MANCHESTER HOMELESS CAMP EVICTION CASE ADJOURNED UNTIL 30TH JULY
Star date: 21st July 2015
CAMP DEFENDANTS DENIED LEGAL AID TO FIGHT MANCHESTER COUNCIL
"The situation is extremely grave for access to justice..." RAPAR
This morning, an application for legal aid by representatives of the Manchester Homeless Camp fighting eviction at the Civil Justice Centre was denied minutes before the case was due to be heard.
The judge adjourned the case until 30th July while a review of the legal aid denial is requested but it is unlikely that that it will have concluded by then. "The defendants are probably going to have to represent themselves at court" explained Ben Taylor the solicitor acting for the Camp "It is extremely unsatisfactory and disappointing."
This morning at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester, representatives of the Homeless Camps were expected to defend Manchester City Council's legal action to evict them from the whole of the city centre... a move labelled a "draconian" attempt to criminalise the homeless (see previous Salford Star article – click here).
Minutes before the case was due to be heard, however, solicitors acting for the Camp heard that legal aid had been denied – and the judge subsequently adjourned the case until 30th July so the decision could be challenged.
"I'm very, very saddened by the Legal Aid Agency's decision to refuse my clients legal aid" said solicitor Ben Taylor after the hearing "We are going to submit a review of their decision, which I think is a wrong one, in order to try and persuade the LAA that they should be giving my clients legal aid."
On 1st April 2013 the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishing of Offenders Act (LASPO) came into force, denying whole swathes of people legal aid. Instead, defendants could apply for Exceptional Case Funding and it was this that was denied the Camp at 10:49am, as the case was due to be heard.
"I am dissatisfied with the decision and I'm going to request a review but it is unlikely that that it will have concluded by July 30th; as a consequence of which the defendants are probably going to have to represent themselves at court" Ben Taylor explained "It is extremely unsatisfactory and disappointing but legal aid lawyers predicted this would happen; that the courts would be inundated with what we call `litigants in person', those people who don't have legal representation. It's going to clog up the courts and slow down the legal process.
"With the greatest respect to my clients, I don't think they will be able to be fully knowledgeable in the area of law to properly represent themselves" he added.
Rhetta Moran, of the human rights organisation RAPAR, said the denial of legal aid will have `grave' repercussions for anyone falling out of the scope of the LASPO Act...
"At this moment in time legal aid is being denied to representatives of the most intensely vulnerable members of the city's population" she said "The situation is extremely grave for access to justice for anyone and on every front now.
"The representatives of Manchester City Council stated explicitly today that it was in court to stop the Homeless Camp from moving around the city" she added "Why isn't the City Council stopping the homelessness?"
And George Watt, a former homeless man who was in court this morning, insisted that the whole action by Manchester Council against the Homeless Camps and their Manchester and Salford residents was vindictive and a waste of public money...
"It's ridiculous" he said "They just want them out of sight of the public and that's the bottom line. They want them to go back to the rat infested hell holes. The Council has wasted thousands of pounds on evictions from Albert Square and St Peter's Square, and on police and legal costs.
"It's a complete and utter waste of tax payers' money" he added "Someone up high in Manchester Council is totally incompetent, just signing cheques willy nilly to try and chase these people back underground."
See the original article here.
Star date: 21st July 2015
CAMP DEFENDANTS DENIED LEGAL AID TO FIGHT MANCHESTER COUNCIL
"The situation is extremely grave for access to justice..." RAPAR
This morning, an application for legal aid by representatives of the Manchester Homeless Camp fighting eviction at the Civil Justice Centre was denied minutes before the case was due to be heard.
The judge adjourned the case until 30th July while a review of the legal aid denial is requested but it is unlikely that that it will have concluded by then. "The defendants are probably going to have to represent themselves at court" explained Ben Taylor the solicitor acting for the Camp "It is extremely unsatisfactory and disappointing."
This morning at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester, representatives of the Homeless Camps were expected to defend Manchester City Council's legal action to evict them from the whole of the city centre... a move labelled a "draconian" attempt to criminalise the homeless (see previous Salford Star article – click here).
Minutes before the case was due to be heard, however, solicitors acting for the Camp heard that legal aid had been denied – and the judge subsequently adjourned the case until 30th July so the decision could be challenged.
"I'm very, very saddened by the Legal Aid Agency's decision to refuse my clients legal aid" said solicitor Ben Taylor after the hearing "We are going to submit a review of their decision, which I think is a wrong one, in order to try and persuade the LAA that they should be giving my clients legal aid."
On 1st April 2013 the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishing of Offenders Act (LASPO) came into force, denying whole swathes of people legal aid. Instead, defendants could apply for Exceptional Case Funding and it was this that was denied the Camp at 10:49am, as the case was due to be heard.
"I am dissatisfied with the decision and I'm going to request a review but it is unlikely that that it will have concluded by July 30th; as a consequence of which the defendants are probably going to have to represent themselves at court" Ben Taylor explained "It is extremely unsatisfactory and disappointing but legal aid lawyers predicted this would happen; that the courts would be inundated with what we call `litigants in person', those people who don't have legal representation. It's going to clog up the courts and slow down the legal process.
"With the greatest respect to my clients, I don't think they will be able to be fully knowledgeable in the area of law to properly represent themselves" he added.
Rhetta Moran, of the human rights organisation RAPAR, said the denial of legal aid will have `grave' repercussions for anyone falling out of the scope of the LASPO Act...
"At this moment in time legal aid is being denied to representatives of the most intensely vulnerable members of the city's population" she said "The situation is extremely grave for access to justice for anyone and on every front now.
"The representatives of Manchester City Council stated explicitly today that it was in court to stop the Homeless Camp from moving around the city" she added "Why isn't the City Council stopping the homelessness?"
And George Watt, a former homeless man who was in court this morning, insisted that the whole action by Manchester Council against the Homeless Camps and their Manchester and Salford residents was vindictive and a waste of public money...
"It's ridiculous" he said "They just want them out of sight of the public and that's the bottom line. They want them to go back to the rat infested hell holes. The Council has wasted thousands of pounds on evictions from Albert Square and St Peter's Square, and on police and legal costs.
"It's a complete and utter waste of tax payers' money" he added "Someone up high in Manchester Council is totally incompetent, just signing cheques willy nilly to try and chase these people back underground."
See the original article here.
MANCHESTER'S HOMELESS CAMP MOVES TO CASTLEFIELD
21st June 2015
Council serves notice to quit on St Ann's Square and Castlefield camps - and threatens possession of sites and an injunction banning further homeless camps from anywhere in the city centre.
Castlefield a “satellite” camp of St Ann's Square protest, local authority claims Homeless Rights of Justice campaigners have moved their tents from St Ann's Square to the banks of the Castlefield arena.
Street homeless people who have been involved in the protest since it began on April 15th moved camp last Wednesday because of the growing impact of alcohol in St Ann's Square. They are now being joined by young homeless campaigners who could not “get peace” in St Ann's Square.
One young homeless man explained: “Other long term homeless people, with alcohol issues, began to join the camp in St Ann's Square and it became more and more rowdy, especially at night.
“The whole point is to have a collective of homeless people, not individuals in doorways, and to campaign about homelessness while, at the same time, being actually physically safe. But homeless people with severe alcohol issues need help that we, as a group of homeless people ourselves, cannot give them without support from proper agencies.”
Another Castlefield camp member, a young woman, who has been on the protest since the beginning, added: “Since we set up in Albert Square, not a single Manchester based alcohol, drug or mental health agency has offered help to us - a group of street homeless people trying to be a collective.
“We’ve had massive support from the public but the only officials who have come to us have been environmental health, police community support and the housing outreach team. Alcohol, drugs and mental health are all key issues in homelessness, but we haven’t had any help with any of them.
“We are still here though, and we are still determined to keep going ourselves, with each other and our campaign.”
The three homeless people, who initially moved from St Ann's Square to Castlefield, have now been joined by a further 10-15 street homeless people - some from St Ann's Square and some who are joining the camp for the first time.
One of the Castlefield campers is Kelly Clark, a 39 year old mum who has been street homeless for 16 months. She lived in a Northwards Housing Association property for 16 years before she was evicted for bedroom tax related rent arrears.
Kelly has been involved with the homeless protest since Day 1 and joined the camp in St Ann's Square. On Thursday, a Manchester City Council official served her with a notice to vacate Castlefield by 4pm on Friday (19th June) on the grounds that “Manchester City Council believes that this camp is an extension or satellite of the homeless camp on St Ann’s Square”. The notice to quit went on to say that, if the campers had not vacated by Friday (which they have not), the City Council would start proceedings for possession and would seek an injunction prohibiting further camping in the city centre.
Dr Rhetta Moran, of RAPAR, said: “An injunction preventing someone from entering an area is, by its very nature, an interference of one's civil liberties and should only be granted sparingly.
“It is unclear what type of injunction the Council will seek. Any such injunction will restrict the movements of the person injuncted and is a very serious matter."
A further cause for concern is that a co-founder of the homeless campaign has told RAPAR that a city council worker offered campers hotel accommodation “on the condition that [they] do not participate further in any form of homelessness related protest.”
The Homeless Rights for Justice Campaign began on April 15th with a march to Manchester Town Hall protesting about homelessness in the city. Since then, the camp residents have been forced to move from Albert Square and from outside Central Library in St Peter's Square after Manchester City Council went to court to seek eviction orders.
The Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr now has more than 3,000 Likes
https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ?fref=ts
Please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates www.rapar.org.uk
For more information, contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
21st June 2015
Council serves notice to quit on St Ann's Square and Castlefield camps - and threatens possession of sites and an injunction banning further homeless camps from anywhere in the city centre.
Castlefield a “satellite” camp of St Ann's Square protest, local authority claims Homeless Rights of Justice campaigners have moved their tents from St Ann's Square to the banks of the Castlefield arena.
Street homeless people who have been involved in the protest since it began on April 15th moved camp last Wednesday because of the growing impact of alcohol in St Ann's Square. They are now being joined by young homeless campaigners who could not “get peace” in St Ann's Square.
One young homeless man explained: “Other long term homeless people, with alcohol issues, began to join the camp in St Ann's Square and it became more and more rowdy, especially at night.
“The whole point is to have a collective of homeless people, not individuals in doorways, and to campaign about homelessness while, at the same time, being actually physically safe. But homeless people with severe alcohol issues need help that we, as a group of homeless people ourselves, cannot give them without support from proper agencies.”
Another Castlefield camp member, a young woman, who has been on the protest since the beginning, added: “Since we set up in Albert Square, not a single Manchester based alcohol, drug or mental health agency has offered help to us - a group of street homeless people trying to be a collective.
“We’ve had massive support from the public but the only officials who have come to us have been environmental health, police community support and the housing outreach team. Alcohol, drugs and mental health are all key issues in homelessness, but we haven’t had any help with any of them.
“We are still here though, and we are still determined to keep going ourselves, with each other and our campaign.”
The three homeless people, who initially moved from St Ann's Square to Castlefield, have now been joined by a further 10-15 street homeless people - some from St Ann's Square and some who are joining the camp for the first time.
One of the Castlefield campers is Kelly Clark, a 39 year old mum who has been street homeless for 16 months. She lived in a Northwards Housing Association property for 16 years before she was evicted for bedroom tax related rent arrears.
Kelly has been involved with the homeless protest since Day 1 and joined the camp in St Ann's Square. On Thursday, a Manchester City Council official served her with a notice to vacate Castlefield by 4pm on Friday (19th June) on the grounds that “Manchester City Council believes that this camp is an extension or satellite of the homeless camp on St Ann’s Square”. The notice to quit went on to say that, if the campers had not vacated by Friday (which they have not), the City Council would start proceedings for possession and would seek an injunction prohibiting further camping in the city centre.
Dr Rhetta Moran, of RAPAR, said: “An injunction preventing someone from entering an area is, by its very nature, an interference of one's civil liberties and should only be granted sparingly.
“It is unclear what type of injunction the Council will seek. Any such injunction will restrict the movements of the person injuncted and is a very serious matter."
A further cause for concern is that a co-founder of the homeless campaign has told RAPAR that a city council worker offered campers hotel accommodation “on the condition that [they] do not participate further in any form of homelessness related protest.”
The Homeless Rights for Justice Campaign began on April 15th with a march to Manchester Town Hall protesting about homelessness in the city. Since then, the camp residents have been forced to move from Albert Square and from outside Central Library in St Peter's Square after Manchester City Council went to court to seek eviction orders.
The Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr now has more than 3,000 Likes
https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ?fref=ts
Please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates www.rapar.org.uk
For more information, contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
22/05/15 - Sign the open letter to Manchester City Council
Alongside the other forms of activism that this campaign continues to employ, an open letter addressed to council leader Richard Leese and council executive members responsible for housing, Jeff Smith and Bev Craig, has been developed jointly by the camp and a number of organisations, including RAPAR. The letter aims to make the council aware of the broad-based support for the camp from Manchester residents, and urges council leaders to engage with camp members and others in discussing a thoroughgoing approach to tackling the underlying issues of homelessness. It will be published prominently and has already gained numerous signatures, such as those of “concerned citizens” including academics, nurses, trade union representatives and leading members of campaign groups and other organisations. You can sign the letter, in an individual or organisational capacity, at this link, where you can also read the full text of the letter: ow.ly/N5aN0
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Alongside the other forms of activism that this campaign continues to employ, an open letter addressed to council leader Richard Leese and council executive members responsible for housing, Jeff Smith and Bev Craig, has been developed jointly by the camp and a number of organisations, including RAPAR. The letter aims to make the council aware of the broad-based support for the camp from Manchester residents, and urges council leaders to engage with camp members and others in discussing a thoroughgoing approach to tackling the underlying issues of homelessness. It will be published prominently and has already gained numerous signatures, such as those of “concerned citizens” including academics, nurses, trade union representatives and leading members of campaign groups and other organisations. You can sign the letter, in an individual or organisational capacity, at this link, where you can also read the full text of the letter: ow.ly/N5aN0
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22/05/15 - Press release: HOMELESS CAMP SUPPORT GROWS AS ANTI CUTS DEMONSTRATION TAKES PLACE IN PICCADILLY GARDENS TOMORROW
RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release // 22nd May 2015
HOMELESS CAMP SUPPORT GROWS AS ANTI CUTS DEMONSTRATION TAKES PLACE IN PICCADILLY GARDENS TOMORROW
ANTI AUSTERITY DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, May 23rd
12 noon, Piccadilly Gardens
Residents of Manchester's Homeless Camp, now based in St Ann's Square, will join tomorrow's anti austerity demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens. The rally is expected to bring thousands of people into the city centre to protest against the new Conservative government's planned cuts.
Mike Atkinson and Liam Callacher, the organisers of the demonstration which is backed by campaign groups and individuals throughout Manchester, have seen support for the protest swell to more than 5,000 since the Facebook event was launched.
Housing will be high on the anti cuts agenda as people gather in Piccadilly Gardens tomorrow. For over a month, residents of Manchester's Homeless Camp have been leading the protest against the shortage of housing in the city– and residents are determined to carry on despite repeated eviction threats from the City Council..
Earlier this week, they were evicted from their site outside the Library in St Peter's Square where they had been living for a month. Before that, they left their site in Albert Square voluntarily after being threatened with eviction by Manchester City Council.
Since Tuesday, they have been camped in St Ann's Square where they have been explaining to shop workers and passers-by why they have been driven to take this action.
The present site of the camp is only yards from St Ann's Church and the Rector Nigel Ashworth said: “We have seen the number of rough sleepers going up now for some years. Many people come and go when they get accommodation. Some stay as rough sleepers for quite a time.
“The church welcomes many people as visitors, worshippers or simply because they need a place to sit and think. In that respect, the people in the camp are like any other member of the public – they are welcome. We pray that the response to the needs of homeless peoplen will find practical and caring outcomes and that the needs of all city-centre users will be respected.”
Support for the Camp is growing. An Open Letter to council leader Richard Leese and council executive members responsible for housing, Jeff Smith and Bev Craig, has now been signed by nearly 40 “concerned citizens” including academics, nurses, trade union representatives and leading members of campaign groups and other organistions.
In addition, a discussion has been sparked among Manchester's 38 Degrees members after Conrad Bower, a member of the group, organised a petition in support of the Camp which attracted nearly 1,000 signatures in just a few days.
38 Degrees members have been writing to their councillors and Members of Parliament to raise the homelessness issues being highlighted by residents of the camp.
Conrad says: "Manchester City Council should be ashamed of evicting homeless people, would it not be better to house them instead?
“The City Council complain about the £88,000 cost of policing the protest but what about the cost in destroyed and shortened lives of homeless people? The average age of a homeless person has recently been stated as being 47 years old, what is the cost of those lost years for the thousands of homeless across Greater Manchester?
“The council should be using the protest as an opportunity to address this issue, instead they are trying to sweep it under the carpet so we can all go back to ignoring homeless people or occasionally chucking them our change.
“With the coming austerity cuts, this problem can only get worse. MCC state health and safety reasons for moving these people on, but these camps are the safest place they have had to stay in a long time; living on the streets is dangerous when alone.
“The postponement of the market in St Ann's Square – as reported in the media - is an over-reaction by MCC, the market could have operated alongside the homeless camp.”
Peter (known as “Pops”), the 55 year old resident of the camp who has built up a huge following on Facebook, says: “I have been given the opportunity of shared accommodation but I am determined to stay with the camp to help bring homelessness to the attention of people in Manchester.”
For more information, contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
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RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release // 22nd May 2015
HOMELESS CAMP SUPPORT GROWS AS ANTI CUTS DEMONSTRATION TAKES PLACE IN PICCADILLY GARDENS TOMORROW
- Camp residents now based in St Ann's Square following eviction from outside Central Library
- Rector of St Ann's says people in the camp will be “welcome” in the church
- Homeless Camp supporter describes postponement of the market in St Ann's Square as an “over-reaction” by the City Council
ANTI AUSTERITY DEMONSTRATION
Saturday, May 23rd
12 noon, Piccadilly Gardens
Residents of Manchester's Homeless Camp, now based in St Ann's Square, will join tomorrow's anti austerity demonstration in Piccadilly Gardens. The rally is expected to bring thousands of people into the city centre to protest against the new Conservative government's planned cuts.
Mike Atkinson and Liam Callacher, the organisers of the demonstration which is backed by campaign groups and individuals throughout Manchester, have seen support for the protest swell to more than 5,000 since the Facebook event was launched.
Housing will be high on the anti cuts agenda as people gather in Piccadilly Gardens tomorrow. For over a month, residents of Manchester's Homeless Camp have been leading the protest against the shortage of housing in the city– and residents are determined to carry on despite repeated eviction threats from the City Council..
Earlier this week, they were evicted from their site outside the Library in St Peter's Square where they had been living for a month. Before that, they left their site in Albert Square voluntarily after being threatened with eviction by Manchester City Council.
Since Tuesday, they have been camped in St Ann's Square where they have been explaining to shop workers and passers-by why they have been driven to take this action.
The present site of the camp is only yards from St Ann's Church and the Rector Nigel Ashworth said: “We have seen the number of rough sleepers going up now for some years. Many people come and go when they get accommodation. Some stay as rough sleepers for quite a time.
“The church welcomes many people as visitors, worshippers or simply because they need a place to sit and think. In that respect, the people in the camp are like any other member of the public – they are welcome. We pray that the response to the needs of homeless peoplen will find practical and caring outcomes and that the needs of all city-centre users will be respected.”
Support for the Camp is growing. An Open Letter to council leader Richard Leese and council executive members responsible for housing, Jeff Smith and Bev Craig, has now been signed by nearly 40 “concerned citizens” including academics, nurses, trade union representatives and leading members of campaign groups and other organistions.
In addition, a discussion has been sparked among Manchester's 38 Degrees members after Conrad Bower, a member of the group, organised a petition in support of the Camp which attracted nearly 1,000 signatures in just a few days.
38 Degrees members have been writing to their councillors and Members of Parliament to raise the homelessness issues being highlighted by residents of the camp.
Conrad says: "Manchester City Council should be ashamed of evicting homeless people, would it not be better to house them instead?
“The City Council complain about the £88,000 cost of policing the protest but what about the cost in destroyed and shortened lives of homeless people? The average age of a homeless person has recently been stated as being 47 years old, what is the cost of those lost years for the thousands of homeless across Greater Manchester?
“The council should be using the protest as an opportunity to address this issue, instead they are trying to sweep it under the carpet so we can all go back to ignoring homeless people or occasionally chucking them our change.
“With the coming austerity cuts, this problem can only get worse. MCC state health and safety reasons for moving these people on, but these camps are the safest place they have had to stay in a long time; living on the streets is dangerous when alone.
“The postponement of the market in St Ann's Square – as reported in the media - is an over-reaction by MCC, the market could have operated alongside the homeless camp.”
Peter (known as “Pops”), the 55 year old resident of the camp who has built up a huge following on Facebook, says: “I have been given the opportunity of shared accommodation but I am determined to stay with the camp to help bring homelessness to the attention of people in Manchester.”
- RAPAR continues to wait for a response from Manchester City Council's solicitor to explain the council's actions in barring members of the homeless camp and their supporters from Manchester's largest public library in St Peter's Square
- The number of Likes on the Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr has now reached more than 2,600. Follow the page for updates about the camp. https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ
- Also, please keep an eye on the RAPAR website www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html
For more information, contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
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19/05/15 - Camp moves to St Ann's Square
The camp has moved to St Ann's Square (also in central Manchester), after an eviction order was made for the previous site in St Peter's Square. See North West Tonight video here: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnorthwesttonight/videos/970029143028148/
The camp intends to remain visible in Manchester's public spaces in order to continue to generate public pressure over homelessness in Greater Manchester. A 900-signature petition in support of the campaign has already been handed in to the council, with an open letter currently being developed.
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The camp has moved to St Ann's Square (also in central Manchester), after an eviction order was made for the previous site in St Peter's Square. See North West Tonight video here: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnorthwesttonight/videos/970029143028148/
The camp intends to remain visible in Manchester's public spaces in order to continue to generate public pressure over homelessness in Greater Manchester. A 900-signature petition in support of the campaign has already been handed in to the council, with an open letter currently being developed.
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15/05/15 - Eviction set for Tuesday 19th, solidarity demo On Sat 16th
The court turned down the eviction appeal and the date has been set for Tuesday 19th May. There will be a solidarity protest on Saturday (16th) at 2pm in St Peter's Square.
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The court turned down the eviction appeal and the date has been set for Tuesday 19th May. There will be a solidarity protest on Saturday (16th) at 2pm in St Peter's Square.
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12/05/15 - Solidarity demo called for Thu 14th May
The eviction appeal hearing is on Thu 14th May at 10am at Manchester Civil Justice Centre. Supporters will gather for a solidarity demonstration at 9.15am outside the court on Bridge Street, Manchester (Google Maps). Bring your friends and family, banners, placards, megaphones, fancy dress, etc.!
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The eviction appeal hearing is on Thu 14th May at 10am at Manchester Civil Justice Centre. Supporters will gather for a solidarity demonstration at 9.15am outside the court on Bridge Street, Manchester (Google Maps). Bring your friends and family, banners, placards, megaphones, fancy dress, etc.!
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11/05/15 - Camp releases statement 'What We Stand For and What We Want'
Following the successful demonstration on Sat 9th May (see below), the homeless camp has produced an agreed statement, which reads as follows:
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WHAT WE STAND FOR AND WHAT WE WANT
WE ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION!... START THE REVOLUTION!
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Following the successful demonstration on Sat 9th May (see below), the homeless camp has produced an agreed statement, which reads as follows:
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WHAT WE STAND FOR AND WHAT WE WANT
- Individual/shared permanent housing
- Prevention of homelessness
- Effective challenge of the process whereby people are described as 'intentionally homeless'
- Protection of our human rights
- Stop the cuts
WE ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION!... START THE REVOLUTION!
------------------------------
11/05/15 - Documentation of May 9th solidarity demonstration
Saturday's demonstration in St Peter's Square with the homeless camp was a resounding and significant show of solidarity by the people of Manchester with their fellow Mancunian citizens in the camp and with the homeless of Manchester more generally. As such it is important to document this event, which we do below with a written report, photos, and a video excerpt from North West Tonight.
> RAPAR's report of Sat May 9th demonstration in solidarity with the homeless camp
In St Peter's Square shoppers and people waiting at the tram stop watched campsite residents and around 300 supporters rally outside the library. There were speakers, music and dancing throughout the afternoon.
More than 20 people spoke at the protest rally, including Adam, a Church of England clergyman from Wythenshawe, who called for a boycott of the library. Another speaker was Peter, a 55 year old camp member who is a diagnosed schizophrenic and is now losing his sight because of a cataract condition.
Scott and Kathleen, two of the camp members who are leading the legal challenge to the City Council's eviction attempt, spoke - along with Manchester lawyers Nicky Hall and Ben Taylor, who are representing the camp members and helping to develop a legal strategy,
A 16 year old school boy called Jack also came along to show his support. Saira, from Stand Up to UKIP, spoke about the scapegoating that is UKIP's hallmark – and how it is not confined to black people but includes the poorest in society because UKIP is a “bosses' party.”
Trade Unionists Karen (UNISON) and Evan (UNITE) spoke about how alienated workers who have homes are under the current system, Ron from Stop the War highlighted how many ex-servicemen and women are now being made homeless. And Amitt, a refugee journalist from India, described how the asylum system, like the housing system, is causing an increase in destitution.
Long standing housing campaigner John talked about how bad the system has become, while Reyan and a young Muslim woman talked of the need for all of us to show love and compassion for one another.
> Photos from the demo (click to enlarge)
Credits: © www.itookyourpic.com // © Barbara Cook - individual photos are credited
Saturday's demonstration in St Peter's Square with the homeless camp was a resounding and significant show of solidarity by the people of Manchester with their fellow Mancunian citizens in the camp and with the homeless of Manchester more generally. As such it is important to document this event, which we do below with a written report, photos, and a video excerpt from North West Tonight.
> RAPAR's report of Sat May 9th demonstration in solidarity with the homeless camp
In St Peter's Square shoppers and people waiting at the tram stop watched campsite residents and around 300 supporters rally outside the library. There were speakers, music and dancing throughout the afternoon.
More than 20 people spoke at the protest rally, including Adam, a Church of England clergyman from Wythenshawe, who called for a boycott of the library. Another speaker was Peter, a 55 year old camp member who is a diagnosed schizophrenic and is now losing his sight because of a cataract condition.
Scott and Kathleen, two of the camp members who are leading the legal challenge to the City Council's eviction attempt, spoke - along with Manchester lawyers Nicky Hall and Ben Taylor, who are representing the camp members and helping to develop a legal strategy,
A 16 year old school boy called Jack also came along to show his support. Saira, from Stand Up to UKIP, spoke about the scapegoating that is UKIP's hallmark – and how it is not confined to black people but includes the poorest in society because UKIP is a “bosses' party.”
Trade Unionists Karen (UNISON) and Evan (UNITE) spoke about how alienated workers who have homes are under the current system, Ron from Stop the War highlighted how many ex-servicemen and women are now being made homeless. And Amitt, a refugee journalist from India, described how the asylum system, like the housing system, is causing an increase in destitution.
Long standing housing campaigner John talked about how bad the system has become, while Reyan and a young Muslim woman talked of the need for all of us to show love and compassion for one another.
> Photos from the demo (click to enlarge)
Credits: © www.itookyourpic.com // © Barbara Cook - individual photos are credited
> North West Tonight 07/05/15 coverage of homeless camp eviction victory
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07/05/15 - DEMO - Saturday 9th March, 2pm, St Peter's Sq
The camp won a stay of eviction, for now. Demo on Saturday, 2pm, St Peter's Square, Manchester, bring friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, banners, placards and megaphones
The camp won a stay of eviction, for now. Demo on Saturday, 2pm, St Peter's Square, Manchester, bring friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, banners, placards and megaphones
06/05/15 - STOP PRESS - Urgent - demo tomorrow Thu 7th May 2pm
SOLIDARITY WITH THE HOMELESS CAMPERS RESISTING EVICTION FROM ST PETER’S SQUARE
The homeless campers have been served with a warrant for eviction that is due to be executed at 07.30 hrs on Friday morning (8th May) in St Peter’s Square.
An application to suspend this eviction will be heard before District Judge Iyer at 2pm tomorrow afternoon at LEVEL 4, Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Bridge Street, Manchester, M60 9DJ. *Supporters are urged to attend in solidarity*
The basis for the application to suspend the eviction on Friday 8th May is that, if an order for possession is enforced on 8th May, before the scheduled appeal date of 14th May, it would render that appeal redundant.
Live stream of yesterday with police barring entrance to library for anybody who is homeless (presumably going off appearance): http://bambuser.com/v/5486739
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SOLIDARITY WITH THE HOMELESS CAMPERS RESISTING EVICTION FROM ST PETER’S SQUARE
The homeless campers have been served with a warrant for eviction that is due to be executed at 07.30 hrs on Friday morning (8th May) in St Peter’s Square.
An application to suspend this eviction will be heard before District Judge Iyer at 2pm tomorrow afternoon at LEVEL 4, Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Bridge Street, Manchester, M60 9DJ. *Supporters are urged to attend in solidarity*
The basis for the application to suspend the eviction on Friday 8th May is that, if an order for possession is enforced on 8th May, before the scheduled appeal date of 14th May, it would render that appeal redundant.
Live stream of yesterday with police barring entrance to library for anybody who is homeless (presumably going off appearance): http://bambuser.com/v/5486739
----------------------------
06/05/15 - Press release: MCR CITY COUNCIL BRING IN POLICE AND G4S GUARDS TO BAN HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM CENTRAL LIBRARY
RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release
6th May 2015
“LET THEM READ!”
Manchester City Council has brought in police officers and G4S security guards to stop homeless people from using Central Library.
Since last Friday, May 1st, G4S guards – with the backing of several police officers - have been posted on the main doors in St Peter's Square. One homeless woman, who is disabled, was even refused entry to use the public toilets inside the library.
Members of the public have said they feel “intimidated” by the continued police and security presence. Homeless people have been told by security guards they cannot use the library because of a court injunction but solicitor Ben Taylor, who is acting on behalf of some of the Camp residents, says this is “simply not true.”
He added: “No such order has been made and they should be entitled to access public services provided by Manchester City Council just like any other member of the public.”
The Homeless Camp was set up on April 15th following a demonstration against homelessness in the city. Around 30 people have been living in the Camp, first in Albert Square and now round the corner in St Peter's Square, to raise awareness about the unfairness of Manchester City Council's homeless assessment policy.
Yesterday, members of the public asked G4S guards how they were deciding who to let into the library but they refused to comment.
Kath France has been homeless for seven months. She says: “I think we are being discriminated against. I feel victimised and alienated.”
Library user Andy Pears demanded to see a copy of the library's bye-laws. “I can't see anything in the bye-laws to justify this exclusion. I think they are breaching human rights. As a member of the public, I feel intimidated .”
Homeless protestor Joe Ainsworth said he was outraged by his exclusion from a public place. “Unless you've got a job and are paying tax, they don't care about you,” he added.
Dr Rhetta Moran, of RAPAR, spent four hours outside the library yesterday waiting to see a manager to ask for an explanation about the decision to stop homeless people from entering - but, despite an assurance that someone would come to see her, no manager turned up.
Dr Moran and another member of the public, Shoshanah Cohen accompanied Kathleen, a woman from the Homeless Camp, to the entrance of the library where two G4S guards - backed by a number of police officers - blocked their way and refused to let Kathleen, who is disabled, inside to use the toilet.
Shoshanah, who had her four year old daughter with her, said: “I saw members of Manchester's homeless community being excluded from the public building housing the Central Library. They have as much right (and likely more need) to access the services and facilities as any other member of the public. But they were prevented from using the public toilets, as well as books and computers – vital for anyone needing information on frontline services such as re-housing.”
Council staff who met Shoshanah said demonstrating outside the building was inappropriate and G4S were using their discretion about who they were allowing to enter. Both Shoshanah and Dr Moran had been demonstrating with the protestors and were allowed in on an individual basis – but not when they were with Kathleen. The guards appeared to be making discriminatory decisions on appearance alone.
Dr Steven Peers, a supporter of the Homeless Camp, said: “G4S, acting on the instructions of Manchester city council, are denying access to the public library based on their profiling of homeless people. This type of exclusion is a breach of human rights and is discrimination against vulnerable members of our society.”
Ben Taylor, of WTB Solicitors, said the appeal against the possession order granted to the Council last Friday will be held onThursday, May 14th.
He added that he was waiting to hear from the City Council to see whether they would wait for the outcome of the appeal before enforcing the possession order. Any move to carry out the eviction before then would “render the appeal redundant and would be contrary to the interests of justice.”
Mr Taylor confirmed that the campsite residents were not subject to any injunction order. “To exclude them from the library on that basis is incorrect. I am saddened to hear they have been told something that is simply not true.”
RESIDENTS OF THE HOMELESS CAMP IN ST PETER'S SQUARE HAVE CALLED A SOLIDARITY PROTEST FOR 2pm THIS SATURDAY
THEY ARE ASKING ALL SUPPORTERS TO COME TO THE SQUARE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES TO PROTEST AGAINST THE CITY COUNCIL'S ACTIONS - AND TO BRING BANNERS AND PLACARDS
The Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr now has over 1,800 followers and counting: https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ
Also, please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates www.rapar.org.uk
For more information, contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
VIDEOS SHOWING POLICE AND G4S GUARDS AT THE LIBRARY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcKSdGSi7zU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cntOXIkz8Gc
-------------------------------
RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release
6th May 2015
“LET THEM READ!”
- Public protest as Council brings in Police and G4S to ban homeless people from Manchester's Central Library
- City Council is operating “social cleansing” policy, say Homeless Camp residents and their supporters
- Solicitor confirms there is no legal reason why they should not use Manchester's biggest public library
- Appeal against eviction order to be heard Thursday, 14th May
- Homeless Camp calls Solidarity Demonstration for this Saturday, May 9th, at 2pm in St Peter's Square – and says “Bring Your Banners!”
Manchester City Council has brought in police officers and G4S security guards to stop homeless people from using Central Library.
Since last Friday, May 1st, G4S guards – with the backing of several police officers - have been posted on the main doors in St Peter's Square. One homeless woman, who is disabled, was even refused entry to use the public toilets inside the library.
Members of the public have said they feel “intimidated” by the continued police and security presence. Homeless people have been told by security guards they cannot use the library because of a court injunction but solicitor Ben Taylor, who is acting on behalf of some of the Camp residents, says this is “simply not true.”
He added: “No such order has been made and they should be entitled to access public services provided by Manchester City Council just like any other member of the public.”
The Homeless Camp was set up on April 15th following a demonstration against homelessness in the city. Around 30 people have been living in the Camp, first in Albert Square and now round the corner in St Peter's Square, to raise awareness about the unfairness of Manchester City Council's homeless assessment policy.
Yesterday, members of the public asked G4S guards how they were deciding who to let into the library but they refused to comment.
Kath France has been homeless for seven months. She says: “I think we are being discriminated against. I feel victimised and alienated.”
Library user Andy Pears demanded to see a copy of the library's bye-laws. “I can't see anything in the bye-laws to justify this exclusion. I think they are breaching human rights. As a member of the public, I feel intimidated .”
Homeless protestor Joe Ainsworth said he was outraged by his exclusion from a public place. “Unless you've got a job and are paying tax, they don't care about you,” he added.
Dr Rhetta Moran, of RAPAR, spent four hours outside the library yesterday waiting to see a manager to ask for an explanation about the decision to stop homeless people from entering - but, despite an assurance that someone would come to see her, no manager turned up.
Dr Moran and another member of the public, Shoshanah Cohen accompanied Kathleen, a woman from the Homeless Camp, to the entrance of the library where two G4S guards - backed by a number of police officers - blocked their way and refused to let Kathleen, who is disabled, inside to use the toilet.
Shoshanah, who had her four year old daughter with her, said: “I saw members of Manchester's homeless community being excluded from the public building housing the Central Library. They have as much right (and likely more need) to access the services and facilities as any other member of the public. But they were prevented from using the public toilets, as well as books and computers – vital for anyone needing information on frontline services such as re-housing.”
Council staff who met Shoshanah said demonstrating outside the building was inappropriate and G4S were using their discretion about who they were allowing to enter. Both Shoshanah and Dr Moran had been demonstrating with the protestors and were allowed in on an individual basis – but not when they were with Kathleen. The guards appeared to be making discriminatory decisions on appearance alone.
Dr Steven Peers, a supporter of the Homeless Camp, said: “G4S, acting on the instructions of Manchester city council, are denying access to the public library based on their profiling of homeless people. This type of exclusion is a breach of human rights and is discrimination against vulnerable members of our society.”
Ben Taylor, of WTB Solicitors, said the appeal against the possession order granted to the Council last Friday will be held onThursday, May 14th.
He added that he was waiting to hear from the City Council to see whether they would wait for the outcome of the appeal before enforcing the possession order. Any move to carry out the eviction before then would “render the appeal redundant and would be contrary to the interests of justice.”
Mr Taylor confirmed that the campsite residents were not subject to any injunction order. “To exclude them from the library on that basis is incorrect. I am saddened to hear they have been told something that is simply not true.”
RESIDENTS OF THE HOMELESS CAMP IN ST PETER'S SQUARE HAVE CALLED A SOLIDARITY PROTEST FOR 2pm THIS SATURDAY
THEY ARE ASKING ALL SUPPORTERS TO COME TO THE SQUARE WITH THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES TO PROTEST AGAINST THE CITY COUNCIL'S ACTIONS - AND TO BRING BANNERS AND PLACARDS
The Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr now has over 1,800 followers and counting: https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ
Also, please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates www.rapar.org.uk
For more information, contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
VIDEOS SHOWING POLICE AND G4S GUARDS AT THE LIBRARY:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcKSdGSi7zU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cntOXIkz8Gc
-------------------------------
06/05/15 - some photos and videos as the council bring in the police and G4S to bar homeless people from the public library
Homeless camp member refused access to library:
G4S guarding the entrance:
----------------------------------
30/04/15 - Press release: Camp faces second council attempt to evict
RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release // 30th April 2015
RESIDENTS OF HOMELESS CAMP FACE SECOND COUNCIL APPLICATION FOR EVICTION ORDER
Camp residents and their supporters will be at the County Court tomorrow:
Friday, May 1st 2015, Manchester County Court, Manchester Civil Justice Centre, 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester.
Residents of the Homeless Camp in the city centre are facing a second eviction attempt by Manchester City Council.
The hearing will be held at 2pm tomorrow (Friday) and WTB solicitors of Longsight, who are representing some of the residents, will cite the Human Rights Act and the Housing Act to challenge the application for a possession order.
Ben Taylor, of WTB Solicitors, submitted a similar challenge to the first eviction order but this was refused by the District Judge – not on the merits of the defence but on the grounds that the camp resident represented by Mr Taylor had failed to turn up to a previous hearing, although others from the camp were there.
The Homeless Camp has moved from its original site in Albert Square to St Peter's Square and residents say they will not move from Manchester's public spaces because they want to raise awareness about the dramatic rise of homelessness in the city following the austerity cuts.
They also feel more secure sleeping in tents together rather than sleeping individually in doorways, car parks or under the Mancunian Way.
After the last court hearing, solicitor Ben Taylor said: “Manchester City Council own the land and have brought these proceedings but, under the Housing Act 1996, Manchester City Council also has obligations and duties to assess and provide accommodation to the homeless who are unintentionally homeless and have a priority need.
“I would have liked and preferred to have seen Manchester City Council, instead of taking proceedings to evict, first to investigate whether any of the individuals on the land have homeless issues that the local authority has an obligation to address.”
The Camp was set up on April 15th following a demonstration against homelessness in the city
WTB Solicitors have started a blog relating to the Homeless Camp on their website http://www.wtbsolicitors.com/homeless-camp-in-manchester/
The Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr now has 1,500 Likes and has regular updates from the Camp
https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ?fref=ts
Also, please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates http://www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html
For more information, contact Kath Grant 07758386208
-----------------
RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release // 30th April 2015
RESIDENTS OF HOMELESS CAMP FACE SECOND COUNCIL APPLICATION FOR EVICTION ORDER
Camp residents and their supporters will be at the County Court tomorrow:
Friday, May 1st 2015, Manchester County Court, Manchester Civil Justice Centre, 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester.
Residents of the Homeless Camp in the city centre are facing a second eviction attempt by Manchester City Council.
The hearing will be held at 2pm tomorrow (Friday) and WTB solicitors of Longsight, who are representing some of the residents, will cite the Human Rights Act and the Housing Act to challenge the application for a possession order.
Ben Taylor, of WTB Solicitors, submitted a similar challenge to the first eviction order but this was refused by the District Judge – not on the merits of the defence but on the grounds that the camp resident represented by Mr Taylor had failed to turn up to a previous hearing, although others from the camp were there.
The Homeless Camp has moved from its original site in Albert Square to St Peter's Square and residents say they will not move from Manchester's public spaces because they want to raise awareness about the dramatic rise of homelessness in the city following the austerity cuts.
They also feel more secure sleeping in tents together rather than sleeping individually in doorways, car parks or under the Mancunian Way.
After the last court hearing, solicitor Ben Taylor said: “Manchester City Council own the land and have brought these proceedings but, under the Housing Act 1996, Manchester City Council also has obligations and duties to assess and provide accommodation to the homeless who are unintentionally homeless and have a priority need.
“I would have liked and preferred to have seen Manchester City Council, instead of taking proceedings to evict, first to investigate whether any of the individuals on the land have homeless issues that the local authority has an obligation to address.”
The Camp was set up on April 15th following a demonstration against homelessness in the city
WTB Solicitors have started a blog relating to the Homeless Camp on their website http://www.wtbsolicitors.com/homeless-camp-in-manchester/
The Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr now has 1,500 Likes and has regular updates from the Camp
https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ?fref=ts
Also, please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates http://www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html
For more information, contact Kath Grant 07758386208
-----------------
28/04/15 - MCC serves notices to quit new site
People in the Homeless Camp in Albert Square have moved into St Peter's Square following the threat of eviction from their pitch in front of the Town Hall.
Manchester City Council has now served notices to quit on the new campsite in St Peter's Square. The notices to quit expire at 9am on Tuesday April 28th.
People at the camp are now waiting for Manchester City Council to start new possessing proceedings. These will be defended in the manner solicitors attempted to defend the last proceedings but were denied due to a technicality.
-------------
People in the Homeless Camp in Albert Square have moved into St Peter's Square following the threat of eviction from their pitch in front of the Town Hall.
Manchester City Council has now served notices to quit on the new campsite in St Peter's Square. The notices to quit expire at 9am on Tuesday April 28th.
People at the camp are now waiting for Manchester City Council to start new possessing proceedings. These will be defended in the manner solicitors attempted to defend the last proceedings but were denied due to a technicality.
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27/04/15 - Camp has moved around the corner to St Peter's Square
The Homeless Camp established in Albert Square in front of Manchester Town Hall has moved round the corner to St Peter's Square, by the Central Library, and will continue to stay in public spaces around the city to further the campaign. The camp was set up to highlight to issue of homelessness in Manchester, to protest against austerity and to seek meaningful commitments from the council on the issue of homelessness, and intends to continue to do so by remaining visible in the public spaces of Manchester.
See Manchester Evening News article here
-------------
The Homeless Camp established in Albert Square in front of Manchester Town Hall has moved round the corner to St Peter's Square, by the Central Library, and will continue to stay in public spaces around the city to further the campaign. The camp was set up to highlight to issue of homelessness in Manchester, to protest against austerity and to seek meaningful commitments from the council on the issue of homelessness, and intends to continue to do so by remaining visible in the public spaces of Manchester.
See Manchester Evening News article here
-------------
26/04/15 - Press release: Albert Square Homeless Camp To Stay - Despite Threat of Eviction by Bailiffs
RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release // 26th April 2015
ALBERT SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP TO STAY - DESPITE THREAT OF EVICTION BY BAILIFFS
Solicitor hoping to appeal against Possession Order
Homeless people living at the Camp in Albert Square say they will stay as long as they are able in order to raise awareness of homelessness in the city.
Bailiffs are due to move into the camp to evict them but their solicitor is attempting to appeal against the possession order, which was granted to Manchester City Council on Friday.
Scott Russell, one of the residents of the Camp, challenged the eviction order citing the Human Rights and Housing Acts, but the order was granted – not on the merits of the defence but on the grounds that Scott had failed to turn up to an earlier hearing.
Scott's solicitor Ben Taylor sought permission to appeal but this was refused by District Judge Iyer at Manchester Civil Justice Centre.
Ben, of WTB Solicitors, Longsight, added: “We now await the Legal Aid Agency's decision as to whether funding will be granted to pursue the appeal. Such an appeal cannot be launched without such funding but can be launched even after the eviction has occurred. Once granted, we can renew the application to appeal in front of the appeal court.”
Scott joined the Homeless Camp when it was set up on the evening of Wednesday 15th April and has stayed since then. On Thursday 16th April, notices to quit were served by the City Council and possession proceedings were issued the following day with court papers “served” - thrown into the tents pitched in Albert Square and on the ground in front of the tents. A hearing was listed for Monday, 20th April. Scott did not attend but three representatives from the camp were present.
District Judge Iyer made a possession order on Monday. RAPAR became involved the same day and contacted solicitor Ben Taylor who was instructed by Scott to set aside the order for possession.
On Tuesday, April 21st Ben made a successful application to stay the warrant for possession until this Tuesday, April 28th, so that the application to set aside the order could be heard. But last Thursday, Manchester City Council successfully applied for the hearing to be brought forward to Friday April 23rd.
Just before the hearing, the Council solicitor offered Scott accommodation. He says: “I felt it was a bribe aimed at leaving everyone else at the Homeless Camp stranded with me in a lifeboat.”
He said the City Council had already told a Salford Star journalist that there were no spaces available in Manchester. “How come there was suddenly a space for me? It was a bribe – a derisory offer that I would never take without every homeless person being offered the same as me.”
Now the camp is waiting for the Legal Aid Agency's decision. Tonight there was a visit to the camp from RAPAR Treasurer Farid Vahidi, who recently won a six year battle to be safe. (See http://www.rapar.org.uk/the-vahidi-family.html)
Farid said: "No matter where you are from, the only equality seems to be that, if you have no money, you don't deserve to live.”
Now residents of the camp are expecting a court clerk to arrive at some point tomorrow (Monday) or on Tuesday to give Scott a letter that tells him he is going to be evicted. When that happens, Scott will have to leave and wait for the decision about the legal aid appeal.
Homelessrightsforjustice, the Facebook group that formed out of last Wednesday’s protest in Albert Square, now has almost 1400 likes.
Please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates http://www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html
For further information contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646, Kath Grant on 07758386208
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RAPAR // Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release – For immediate release // 26th April 2015
ALBERT SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP TO STAY - DESPITE THREAT OF EVICTION BY BAILIFFS
Solicitor hoping to appeal against Possession Order
Homeless people living at the Camp in Albert Square say they will stay as long as they are able in order to raise awareness of homelessness in the city.
Bailiffs are due to move into the camp to evict them but their solicitor is attempting to appeal against the possession order, which was granted to Manchester City Council on Friday.
Scott Russell, one of the residents of the Camp, challenged the eviction order citing the Human Rights and Housing Acts, but the order was granted – not on the merits of the defence but on the grounds that Scott had failed to turn up to an earlier hearing.
Scott's solicitor Ben Taylor sought permission to appeal but this was refused by District Judge Iyer at Manchester Civil Justice Centre.
Ben, of WTB Solicitors, Longsight, added: “We now await the Legal Aid Agency's decision as to whether funding will be granted to pursue the appeal. Such an appeal cannot be launched without such funding but can be launched even after the eviction has occurred. Once granted, we can renew the application to appeal in front of the appeal court.”
Scott joined the Homeless Camp when it was set up on the evening of Wednesday 15th April and has stayed since then. On Thursday 16th April, notices to quit were served by the City Council and possession proceedings were issued the following day with court papers “served” - thrown into the tents pitched in Albert Square and on the ground in front of the tents. A hearing was listed for Monday, 20th April. Scott did not attend but three representatives from the camp were present.
District Judge Iyer made a possession order on Monday. RAPAR became involved the same day and contacted solicitor Ben Taylor who was instructed by Scott to set aside the order for possession.
On Tuesday, April 21st Ben made a successful application to stay the warrant for possession until this Tuesday, April 28th, so that the application to set aside the order could be heard. But last Thursday, Manchester City Council successfully applied for the hearing to be brought forward to Friday April 23rd.
Just before the hearing, the Council solicitor offered Scott accommodation. He says: “I felt it was a bribe aimed at leaving everyone else at the Homeless Camp stranded with me in a lifeboat.”
He said the City Council had already told a Salford Star journalist that there were no spaces available in Manchester. “How come there was suddenly a space for me? It was a bribe – a derisory offer that I would never take without every homeless person being offered the same as me.”
Now the camp is waiting for the Legal Aid Agency's decision. Tonight there was a visit to the camp from RAPAR Treasurer Farid Vahidi, who recently won a six year battle to be safe. (See http://www.rapar.org.uk/the-vahidi-family.html)
Farid said: "No matter where you are from, the only equality seems to be that, if you have no money, you don't deserve to live.”
Now residents of the camp are expecting a court clerk to arrive at some point tomorrow (Monday) or on Tuesday to give Scott a letter that tells him he is going to be evicted. When that happens, Scott will have to leave and wait for the decision about the legal aid appeal.
Homelessrightsforjustice, the Facebook group that formed out of last Wednesday’s protest in Albert Square, now has almost 1400 likes.
Please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates http://www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html
For further information contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646, Kath Grant on 07758386208
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25/02/15 - Press release: ALBERT SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP SAY THEY WANT TO APPEAL EVICTION DECISION
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RAPAR - Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release for Immediate Release
24th April 2015
For more information contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
ALBERT SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP SAY THEY WANT TO APPEAL EVICTION DECISION
Homeless people who have been camped in Albert Square for over a week say they want to challenge a City Council possession order to evict them from their pitch outside the Town Hall.
At Manchester Civil Justice Centre today, they failed in their attempt to overturn a council possession order. They have been told that, if they do not move voluntarily, bailiffs will be sent in. Solicitor Ben Taylor, of WTB Solicitors in Longsight, represented Scott Russell at today's hearing, He said: “My client is deeply disappointed with the outcome. The court dismissed the application on the basis that my client had failed to give a good reason for not attending court on Monday. His substantive defence was not considered by the court because he failed to satisfy this preliminary requirement.
“My client has instructed me to advise him on the merits of appeal. My client is street homeless and is occupying Albert Square not only as an act of protest but also because he feels safe living with other homeless persons there, rather than sleeping alone in a shop doorway.”
Dr Rhetta Moran, of RAPAR, the Manchester-based Human Rights organisation said: “In this case, we are seeing whether and how 'justice' itself is or is not being done and being seen to be done. When courts make technical manoeuvres to avoid dealing with the real issues – in this case the extent of homelessness in this city and the danger that surrounds homeless people when they sleep alone in doorways - it is high time to hold the ground. We hope the homeless people at the camp decide to appeal to stop the eviction. RAPAR re-states its commitment to support them in whatever way we can.”
People from the camp were due to attend court on Tuesday (April 28th) to appeal against the eviction notice but the hearing was brought forward to this morning (April 24th) following an application by Manchester City Council. The possession order was challenged by people at the camp under the Human Rights Act and the Housing Act. Ben Taylor has pointed out that Manchester City Council brought the proceedings - yet the authority has duties, under the Housing Act, to provide accommodation for people who are unintentionally homeless and have a priority need. He said this could apply to some of the people living in the camp.
He added: “For the people who are living on Albert Square, that land is now their home and they have protection under the Human Rights Act Article 8. The court has to respect an individual's home and only evict if it is legitimate and proportionate to do so. I don't believe the court went through that exercise to assess those rights and to determine whether those rights should have been legitimately interfered with.
“The Camp is an act of protest and that means, under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act, any eviction would be interfering with people's right to freedom of expression.
“Manchester City Council own the land and have brought these proceedings but, under the Housing Act 1996, Manchester City Council also has obligations and duties to assess and provide accommodation to the homeless who are unintentionally homeless and have a priority need.
“I would have liked and preferred to have seen Manchester City Council, instead of taking proceedings to evict, first to investigate whether any of the individuals on the land have homeless issues that the local authority has an obligation to address.”
The 20 homeless people have been camped in Albert Square since April 15th when they marched to the Town Hall to protest against homelessness in the city.
Homeless Rights Of Justice Mcr, the Facebook group which formed out of the protest, now has over 1,300 likes.
Please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html
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RAPAR - Manchester-based Human Rights Organisation
Press Release for Immediate Release
24th April 2015
For more information contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646 or Kath Grant 07758386208
ALBERT SQUARE HOMELESS CAMP SAY THEY WANT TO APPEAL EVICTION DECISION
Homeless people who have been camped in Albert Square for over a week say they want to challenge a City Council possession order to evict them from their pitch outside the Town Hall.
At Manchester Civil Justice Centre today, they failed in their attempt to overturn a council possession order. They have been told that, if they do not move voluntarily, bailiffs will be sent in. Solicitor Ben Taylor, of WTB Solicitors in Longsight, represented Scott Russell at today's hearing, He said: “My client is deeply disappointed with the outcome. The court dismissed the application on the basis that my client had failed to give a good reason for not attending court on Monday. His substantive defence was not considered by the court because he failed to satisfy this preliminary requirement.
“My client has instructed me to advise him on the merits of appeal. My client is street homeless and is occupying Albert Square not only as an act of protest but also because he feels safe living with other homeless persons there, rather than sleeping alone in a shop doorway.”
Dr Rhetta Moran, of RAPAR, the Manchester-based Human Rights organisation said: “In this case, we are seeing whether and how 'justice' itself is or is not being done and being seen to be done. When courts make technical manoeuvres to avoid dealing with the real issues – in this case the extent of homelessness in this city and the danger that surrounds homeless people when they sleep alone in doorways - it is high time to hold the ground. We hope the homeless people at the camp decide to appeal to stop the eviction. RAPAR re-states its commitment to support them in whatever way we can.”
People from the camp were due to attend court on Tuesday (April 28th) to appeal against the eviction notice but the hearing was brought forward to this morning (April 24th) following an application by Manchester City Council. The possession order was challenged by people at the camp under the Human Rights Act and the Housing Act. Ben Taylor has pointed out that Manchester City Council brought the proceedings - yet the authority has duties, under the Housing Act, to provide accommodation for people who are unintentionally homeless and have a priority need. He said this could apply to some of the people living in the camp.
He added: “For the people who are living on Albert Square, that land is now their home and they have protection under the Human Rights Act Article 8. The court has to respect an individual's home and only evict if it is legitimate and proportionate to do so. I don't believe the court went through that exercise to assess those rights and to determine whether those rights should have been legitimately interfered with.
“The Camp is an act of protest and that means, under Articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act, any eviction would be interfering with people's right to freedom of expression.
“Manchester City Council own the land and have brought these proceedings but, under the Housing Act 1996, Manchester City Council also has obligations and duties to assess and provide accommodation to the homeless who are unintentionally homeless and have a priority need.
“I would have liked and preferred to have seen Manchester City Council, instead of taking proceedings to evict, first to investigate whether any of the individuals on the land have homeless issues that the local authority has an obligation to address.”
The 20 homeless people have been camped in Albert Square since April 15th when they marched to the Town Hall to protest against homelessness in the city.
Homeless Rights Of Justice Mcr, the Facebook group which formed out of the protest, now has over 1,300 likes.
Please keep an eye on the RAPAR website for updates www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html
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21/04/15 - Eviction postponed pending further court hearings on Tuesday 28th April
The Homeless Camp in Albert Square will remain another week - court hearing will take place next week!
Follow Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr for further updates
The Homeless Camp in Albert Square will remain another week - court hearing will take place next week!
Follow Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr for further updates
RAPAR press release 20/04/15
Homeless Camp in Albert Square - Bailiffs are imminent
At lunchtime today, a Manchester City Council worker approached the 20 or so homeless people who have been camped in Albert Square since last Wednesday (15th April) when they marched to the Town Hall to protest against homelessness in the city.
Homeless Camp in Albert Square - Bailiffs are imminent
At lunchtime today, a Manchester City Council worker approached the 20 or so homeless people who have been camped in Albert Square since last Wednesday (15th April) when they marched to the Town Hall to protest against homelessness in the city.
Scott, originally from Salford, aged 34, and who has been homeless for 10 years explains: “We came to the Town Hall Square because it is a symbol of the powers that have taken the decisions that have created this homelessness. They have hiding the problem of homelessness for so long.”
The City Council worker tried to give the people there copies of an Order For Possession (click here to view). When the homeless campers kept their hands in their pockets, the worker entered the tent area and threw the copies of the Order For Possession on the ground outside or into the assembled tents. No single person has actually been served with an Order. However, now, the campers are expecting to be issued with a warrant as a preliminary to the Bailiffs being moved in to remove them.
Lee, aged 22, asks “Why are people more angry about tents in Albert Square than the fact that we are homeless?”
RAPAR Chair, Manjeet Kaur, (pictured with Gary on her right hand side) spoke to Gary, aged 43 and originally from Shipley, who has been living in Manchester for 27 years when he became homeless following a family breakdown and alcoholism.
The City Council worker tried to give the people there copies of an Order For Possession (click here to view). When the homeless campers kept their hands in their pockets, the worker entered the tent area and threw the copies of the Order For Possession on the ground outside or into the assembled tents. No single person has actually been served with an Order. However, now, the campers are expecting to be issued with a warrant as a preliminary to the Bailiffs being moved in to remove them.
Lee, aged 22, asks “Why are people more angry about tents in Albert Square than the fact that we are homeless?”
RAPAR Chair, Manjeet Kaur, (pictured with Gary on her right hand side) spoke to Gary, aged 43 and originally from Shipley, who has been living in Manchester for 27 years when he became homeless following a family breakdown and alcoholism.
Gary told her: “Get this council woken up to see there is a problem. All the Homeless Unit here say is “go back to Bradford” and in Bradford they say “go back to Manchester”. The problem is getting worse... Just go to any doorway and you'll see.”
Tired, aged 43, says “Where can we sleep? Where can we go to the toilet? Where can we store our bags safely?”
Big Dave, an Ex-Guardsman also aged 43 explains “I lost my flat five years ago. Been on the street ever since... I don’t need no hostel with people with the same issues as me.”
RAPAR member Asad, a political refugee from Iran, also visited the camp this afternoon. He says: “These people, honourable citizens, have through economic problems including insufficient public housing and the lack of support from the State, been forced into this life - they did not choose it. When I asked them about their situation one of them said to me 'Living like this is the really hard work!' The public need to be able to change from the idea that these people are criminals. They are not criminals and I think that many people living in this society could find themselves in the same place.”
One of a few women at the camp, Joanne, also aged 43, says “I had to flee actual violence that I reported to the police and they say that there is no police report. Three times I have presented. When I became homeless I was told to put my son in care. ... I was in a direct access hostel and saw unbelievable stuff! Non stop drop bad... Paying £280 per week for a bed and a sink!! I fled to the streets and have been here ever since, sofa surfing etc. I have presented as homeless at Wigan and Radcliffe. No luck .... SOS”.
And Tomas, aged 28, is questioning “Why are there so many empty properties? It seems like there are more empty properties than homeless people!”
Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr, the Facebook group that formed out of last Wednesday’s protest in Albert Square, now has over 1000 likes.
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Updates will appear in the right-hand column of this page
Tired, aged 43, says “Where can we sleep? Where can we go to the toilet? Where can we store our bags safely?”
Big Dave, an Ex-Guardsman also aged 43 explains “I lost my flat five years ago. Been on the street ever since... I don’t need no hostel with people with the same issues as me.”
RAPAR member Asad, a political refugee from Iran, also visited the camp this afternoon. He says: “These people, honourable citizens, have through economic problems including insufficient public housing and the lack of support from the State, been forced into this life - they did not choose it. When I asked them about their situation one of them said to me 'Living like this is the really hard work!' The public need to be able to change from the idea that these people are criminals. They are not criminals and I think that many people living in this society could find themselves in the same place.”
One of a few women at the camp, Joanne, also aged 43, says “I had to flee actual violence that I reported to the police and they say that there is no police report. Three times I have presented. When I became homeless I was told to put my son in care. ... I was in a direct access hostel and saw unbelievable stuff! Non stop drop bad... Paying £280 per week for a bed and a sink!! I fled to the streets and have been here ever since, sofa surfing etc. I have presented as homeless at Wigan and Radcliffe. No luck .... SOS”.
And Tomas, aged 28, is questioning “Why are there so many empty properties? It seems like there are more empty properties than homeless people!”
Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr, the Facebook group that formed out of last Wednesday’s protest in Albert Square, now has over 1000 likes.
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Updates will appear in the right-hand column of this page
