Right bang smack in the middle of what is seen as the heart of Manchester's posh shopping district tents have sprung up all over St Ann's Square to protest against the doubling in the number of homeless people over the past year.
At yesterday's Protest Against Austerity at Piccadilly Gardens, the Homeless Camp was the centre of attention for a lot of the speakers, as a stark reminder of Dickensian Tory Britain. And while one former homeless man was handing over a donation of £1,000 on the stage (see previous Salford Star article – click here) many others made the journey down to the Camp to offer support, food and donations.
"We've had a lot of public support today; people coming over and giving food and donations, or just coming over and seeing if they can help or stay on the site" said Saffron, an activist from Salford who is not homeless but is one of those who are helping out. She stays on the Camp during the week and from there goes to work and college.
Saffron is one of many from Greater Manchester who have experience of camps, like Barton Moss, and can offer practical, legal and PR help to the protest, which is gaining more and more support from the public. The Camp has arrived in St Ann's Square after a legal fight was lost to stay in, firstly, Albert Square, and then St Peter's Square. Now they are waiting to see how long the Camp can stay in its current location.
"I'm not sure how long we'll be here, there's been no papers served yet to evict...I think it will lead to an injunction for the whole of Manchester but we have places to go" Saffron smiles...
The Homeless Camp protest is set to stay.
See also previous Salford Star articles...
* Manchester Homeless Camp Human Rights Challenge - click here
* Homeless Camp Eviction Postponed - click here
* Homeless Camp Will Stay Until The End - click here