Police in Oakland arrested at least 20 people early Monday as authorities broke up a camp on the plaza outside of city hall that was protesting homelessness.
Protesters had begun building the self-proclaimed Housing Justice Village with tents Sunday at Frank Ogawa Plaza. They had demanded that the city cease development of market-rate housing and set aside 14 parcels of land that would be dedicated as sanctuaries for people without homes.
One activist, who has been homeless since being evicted two years ago, complained that Oakland officials are merciless when clearing out such settlements, often disposing of the few valuable possessions a homeless person can carry.
BREAKING: This AM, Oakland unhoused residents created the #HousingJusticeVillage at Oscar Grant Plaza. It is a peaceful protest of the harm and trauma caused by the City of Oakland's treatment of curbside residents. #StopsTheSweeps #WhereDoWeGoOakland #PublicLandForSanctuary pic.twitter.com/YZKtAK0Qyq
— The Village, Oakland (@VillageOakland) November 24, 2019The same activist, who said her name was Needa, said the city should stop building Tuff Shed cabins for people looking for homes and do more to support "curbside communities."
City officials said they support the right to protest, but there's a municipal code that closes the park at 10 p.m.
The scene called to mind the Occupy Oakland protests that at times gained control of Frank Ogawa Plaza and preceded violent clashes with police, leading to hundreds of arrests in 2011-2012.
