Former residents of Hastings Street encampment prevented from returning

Former residents of the East Hastings Street encampment who tried returning to the area over the weekend had city crews chase them out once again, says an organizer with the Stop The Sweeps Coalition.

Ryan Sudds was in Oppenheimer Park on Monday distributing coffee, snacks, tents and blankets to those in need.

“When the city was coming around yesterday in the rain, people were angry, people were upset, people were fed up. It has been five days now and people are getting angrier and angrier about what’s happening,” said Sudds, adding that many of those who were on Hastings Street are taking what is left of their belongings and setting up in other areas.

“For the folks who are getting displaced on the block, and they don’t have shelter or housing, the city isn’t offering them anything besides maybe (suggesting), ‘you can go to the CRAB Park,’” said Sudds.

After 80 tent structures were dismantled on Hastings Street last week there are some new people at the encampment at CRAB Park in recent days, said housing advocate Fiona York.