http://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
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.”
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