There were scenes of chaos at Manchester Civil Justice Centre this afternoon as a case for possession orders of the Homeless Camps at King Street and Oxford Road was heard.
While Manchester Council already has an injunction order stopping political protest camps against homelessness all over the city centre (see previous Salford Star article – click here), today Manchester Council went back to court to gain a possession order against `persons unknown' for the King Street camp, and, with Manchester Metropolitan University, a possession order over the Oxford Road camp, known as The Ark. This despite supporters arguing that these are not political protest camps but shelters for the homeless, who have nowhere else to go.
Speaking on behalf of `persons unknown', supporters of the camps argued for an adjournment as they had no legal representation and no legal aid; and then continued to argue how Manchester Metropolitan University's own staff and students disagreed with its actions, and that it was a "human rights issue to be on the land". They then claimed The Ark as a `refugee state'...
"If you push this through you are killing people" one supporter told the judge, while another ended up in tears as she tried to tell the apparently indifferent judge about the case studies of the people living in the camps. As the scene got more chaotic with people shouting about injustice, the judge ordered that the court be closed, before being handed a document refuting what its author called `32 pages of lies by Manchester City Council' within the possession order papers.
During the hour long break in proceedings, Adam, from the Homeless Rights of Justice campaign, explained the camp supporters' position...
"We pulled out of the ground campaign when the injunction was put on us to say that we couldn't protest around the homelessness situation and we've had to just do things without being in tents" he said "But the homeless still need somewhere to live, so they've set up on Oxford Road where they are now claiming that they are refugees because they've been treated worse than second class citizens. On paper they don't exist anywhere, and they're not being allowed to exist because everywhere they try and live they're being told now that they're protesting. So they are claiming that they are refugees in their own country."
One of the other supporters of `person's unknown' in the court added: "It's an infringement on people's human rights. You've got people who are homeless and are being chastised for using a tent, when literally these people have stated that they're not protesting.
"Manchester City Council has imposed an inhumane injunction stating that if they are to use a tent they are affiliating themselves to a protest but that's not the case – it's just an evil action to stop people getting shelter" he added "No matter how many of these things go through – possessions and eviction orders, this campaign is just going to get bigger. So everyone come to the Tory Party Conference between the 2nd and 10th October and bring a tent..."
When the hearing reconvened, the judge adjourned the cases until Thursday at 11am, in order that legal representation can be found.
* There used to be eight law centres in Greater Manchester, now just two remain. However a new Greater Manchester Law Centre is currently getting off the ground with its first Annual General Meeting to be held tomorrow, Tuesday 8th September 6:30pm at the Mechanics Institute, 103 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD.
The new Law Centre is being supported by a whole range of organisations from FC United of Manchester to various law chambers, to Manchester MIND to Manchester Metropolitan Church...
"The Government wants to prevent access to justice and does so most effectively by removing the advice agencies that can deliver access to those most in need" state the organisers "This situation cannot be allowed to continue. The aim of the law centre is to enable the people of Greater Manchester to campaign for change and to provide access to free legal advice and representation for people who could not otherwise afford it... Please come to our first AGM and help to make Greater Manchester Law Centre a reality."
For further details contact gmlawcentre@gmail.com
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