MANHATTAN: Over 100 NYC Protestors Gather In The East Village To Stop NYC From Removing Homeless Encampments

NEW YORK CITY: Protesters tried to stop the continued removal of the homeless encampment in Tompkins Square Park as the city has swept more than 300 such camps in recent weeks.

The protesters called on the city to provide proper housing for the homeless, who have had their camp at the park torn down by police and sanitation workers twice in the last two weeks.

Many of the protesters led with chants calling housing the solution to the homelessness problem and cursing at New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Despite officials offering to guide homeless individuals to shelters and services, many are refusing the offers of help, claiming the city's shelters are not safe for them.

During the sweep of the camp previously, the city arrested six protestors and a homeless man who blocked police and sanitation workers from clearing out the area.

City statistics for January showed that more than two-thirds of the people who agreed to go to the shelters had already left them by the end of the month.

An estimated 2,400 people live on city streets and in subways, according to an annual tally taken in January 2021.

Mayor Adams emphasized that the city is in the process of opening 500 beds in specialized shelters that have fewer restrictions, more on-site services and, in some cases, more privacy than traditional dorm-like shelters.