Tent city dwellers in Maple Ridge demand protection
Posted May 13, 2017 10:45 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) – Supporters of a homeless encampment in Maple Ridge rallied outside city hall Saturday demanding the city protect campers.
The Anita Place tent city by the Haney Bypass was erected after another temporary shelter was shut down.
Organizers say the city has illegally evicted people from the encampment and repeatedly locked a fence around it, hindering access for first responders trying to reach overdose victims.
Tracy Scott started the original tent city — and as an advocate — she has tried to change the way people who don’t have addresses are seen.
She says the city has ripped their tents apart and thrown their food in the mud. She is angered and frustrated by the way they are being treated.
“It’s so sad to see. We are the family of humanity, residents of this town with the same equal rights as everyone else. We won’t back down. Why would they storm in on us? For what good reason?”
Sean, another camper, says it’s tiring listening to the government saying it will help.
“I know there are several things that could be done. But I know our ideas aren’t considered because we’re looked upon as not smart enough.”
Maple Ridge bylaw enforcement officers took action on the camp on Thursday. The city is now applying for an injunction to end the camp.
