Press Release for Immediate Release
20th April 2015
For further information contact Dr Rhetta Moran 07776264646.
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KEEP YOUR COINS! I WANT CHANGE!
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 (right). 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. |
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.
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.” |
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.
Updates will appear here: http://www.rapar.org.uk/keep-your-coins---we-want-change.html