After last Tuesday's adjournment at the Civil Justice Centre in Manchester. The Legal Aid Agency refused public funding to Manchester's street homeless people at 4.40pm yesterday on the grounds that it didn't satisfy the Merits Test.
Judge Mathareu gave Manchester City Council an injunction against the whole world erecting a camp in Manchester City Centre. An Injunction Contra Mundum or alternatively an injunction against the whole world means that anybody who has erected a tent in the city centre is in breach of the injunction order.
Solicitor Ben Taylor, who represented the Manchester Homeless Camp on a pro bono basis after legal aid was denied, feels that the injunction is still worth challenging. He also expressed his concern about Manchester City Councils priorities when it comes to homelessness.
"It is disappointing that Manchester City Councils evidence today was that costs incurred in the camp sites generally was £100,000 as that money could have been properly spent providing accommodation for the homeless. If they had the situation would perhaps not be as dire as it is now."
Carita Thomas, Legal Aid lawyer and Justice Alliance member spoke in a personal capacity about the implications of the Legal Aid Agency refusing funding.
"On 15 July the exceptional funding regime for legal aid was found to be unlawful by the High Court. Mr Justice Collins stated the application procedure is "far too complex" for people trying it themselves and the Merits Test to get funding is "wholly unsatisfactory"… How can justice be done or seen to be done if only the council has the chance to properly prepare? Homeless camp residents should have funding for a lawyer so they are on an equal footing with the council's lawyers in this complex case, especially as it raises public interest points that deserve a fair hearing for both sides."
Despite now facing an injunction from setting up camp anywhere else in Manchester support for Homeless Camp continues to grow…
Ameen Hadi, Treasurer, Salford City UNISON explained how the branch will continue to support the campaign and expressed concern for how the injunction is merely masking a problem that needs to be addressed.
"Salford City Unison is proud to support Manchester's Homeless Camp for giving the most vulnerable, who have suffered the cruel effects of Austerity, a voice. We oppose any injunction to try and remove them from public spaces as a sad attempt to hide a problem which must be addressed. We condemn any attempt to deny them legal support. We continue to offer both practical solidarity (sleeping bags, toiletries etc) and political campaigning, to fight for our human rights and an end to Austerity. Their fight is our fight."
Chris Rea, Chair of Manchester & Salford National Union of Journalists Branch told his union members, who were outside the court today.
"Talk to the Camp's occupants and help them get their story out. As well as being an important human rights and political issue, the Homeless Camp is one of the most interesting and significant stories in Manchester in recent years."
Local resident, architecture lecturer, and camp supporter, Emma Curtin spoke about the courage of those involved in the protest.
"We should celebrate the commitment and determination of the people involved, not criminalise them. Crucially, there are wider civil liberties concerns: this injunction curtails the use of public space for everyone. It has implications for future protests on other issues and for all sorts of things from picnics to art projects. Organised, City Council sanctioned events from Manchester International Festival to Dig the City can be enjoyable, but a healthy city also needs spontaneous activity accessible to everyone."
Also, on Wednesday, RAPAR, the Manchester based human rights organisation, requested to participate in a Homelessness Summit convened by CityCo at Manchester's Mercure Hotel in the Piccadilly Plaza but their participation was rejected after being told "…it is an event exclusively for CityCo business members."
See also previous Salford Star articles:
*MANCHESTER HOMELESS CAMP EVICTION CASE ADJOURNED UNTIL 30TH JULY – see here
*SALFORD AND MANCHESTER HOMELESS PEOPLE FACE PRISON THREAT – see here
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