Berkeley’s Homeless Protest: A Stand Against Anti-Camping Laws and Community Displacement

Occupy Berkeley: A Response to Homelessness Policies

In mid-October, attorney Andrea Henson addressed a crowd in Berkeley, California. Behind her stood several tents, some marked with the question, “Where do we go?” This scene is part of an ongoing protest demanding an end to laws that criminalize unsheltered homelessness.

The protest began in September when tents appeared outside Berkeley’s Old City Hall. Since then, it has expanded to multiple camps across the city, uniting housed and unhoused residents. They aim to reclaim public spaces after a Supreme Court ruling allowed stricter anti-camping policies, even without available shelter.

Following the ruling, cities across the U.S. adopted tougher anti-homeless laws. Jesse Rabinowitz from the National Homelessness Law Center reported that over 60 cities passed new restrictions, with more pending. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order urging cities to clear encampments and threatening funding cuts for those that do not comply.

In response, both Berkeley and nearby Oakland made it easier for authorities to remove encampments. Activists argue these changes disproportionately impact people of color, those with disabilities, and seniors. They plan to maintain occupancy until these policies change.

The encampments offer safe spaces for those displaced and include access to food, water, and restrooms. Protesters advocate for legal protections for unhoused people, similar to tenant rights during evictions.

Some organizers emphasize the importance of community in these encampments. Gordon Gilmore, a member of the Berkeley Outreach Coalition, highlighted that having a stable community enhances safety for residents.

Homelessness continues to be a significant issue in California, largely due to a housing shortage and economic crisis. Despite $24 billion invested in solutions, unhoused populations remain high. Berkeley reported approximately 350 shelter beds for a population of around 844 unhoused individuals, while Oakland has 1,627 beds for 5,500 estimated unhoused residents.

California laws permit cities to clear encampments even when no shelter is available. The updated policy in Berkeley includes six exceptions allowing enforcement actions, which critics say criminalize being unhoused.

Those in the encampments often face barriers to accessing shelters. Physical disabilities or mental health challenges can complicate entry. There is a call to recognize these obstacles as civil rights issues.

The protest encampments have become community hubs for support. Residents share essential resources and social connections, reducing isolation. Erin Spencer, a veteran living in one of the encampments, described the significance of social interaction for mental well-being.

The city claims progress in addressing homelessness, reporting a reduction of unsheltered individuals through new policies and funding. However, activists argue that sweeps only push people further into invisibility and do not solve the underlying issue of a lack of available shelter.

As Berkeley faces growing pressure to address homelessness visibly, the occupiers plan to remain present, urging the public to acknowledge the humanity of those living in encampments. Gordon Gilmore succinctly stated, “You’re not going to push us out of view anymore.”