RALLY OUTSIDE THE APPEAL HEARING:
9.30am, Thursday May 14th, Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Bridge Street West, Manchester
Support the Camp residents in their fight against the city council's attempt to evict them
See the campaign page here
SUPPORTERS SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH MANCHESTER'S HOMELESS CAMP AS THEY PREPARE FOR THEIR APPEAL HEARING ON THURSDAY
LAST SATURDAY'S SOLIDARITY PROTEST IN ST PETER'S SQUARE:
300 people turned up to show their support during a lively afternoon of speakers, music and dancing. There will be a follow up Solidarity protest this Saturday, May 16th, at 2pm in St Peter's Square. Please come along again – and don't forget to bring your banners!
Residents of the Homeless Camp in St Peter's Square, Manchester, will be at the Civil Justice Centre in Bridge Street West thisThursday May 14th to challenge the City Council's bid to evict them.
RAPAR is organising a rally outside the court at 9.30am and we urge as many people as possible to attend. Bring your banners - and show the Campsite residents they are not alone in their fight for justice.
There will also be another Solidarity Protest outside Central Library from 2pm on Saturday, May 16th. This follows the successful protest last Saturday when 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 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-serviceman 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 and Reyan and a young Muslim woman talked of the need for all of us to show love and compassion for one another .
A 38 Degrees petition, in support of the Homeless Camp, is doing the rounds on social media. Please add your signature and share the petition.
COME TO MANCHESTER CIVIL JUSTICE CENTRE FOR THE APPEAL HEARING – 9.30am,THURSDAY MAY 14th
SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE CAMP OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL LIBRARY– 2pm, SATURDAY MAY 16th
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.
The Facebook Page for Homeless Rights of Justice Mcr now has over 2,000 followers and counting.
https://www.facebook.com/HomelessRoJ