Left Unity Manchester condemns Homeless Camp ban

A statement from Left Unity Manchester on today’s court decision regarding the Homeless Camp

Left Unity Manchester strongly condemns the decision of the court to ban the Homeless Camp from the entirety of the city centre.

We believe it is abhorrent that people who have been left destitute through punitive measures such as benefit sanctions, the Work Capability Assessment and the Bedroom Tax should be criminalised in such a manner, and faced with a £5,000 fine or 18 months imprisonment if they defy this court order.

We also note that the Homeless Camp is being used to set an example to anyone who protests against the status quo in the city of Manchester, and this action is partially aimed towards causing a chilling effect on any civil disobedience, especially during the Tory Party conference this October.

Left Unity will work with other activists to fight this unfair decision, and will act in solidarity with all who fight against the attacks on the right to protest and the criminalisation and social cleansing of the poor from the city centre.