On Tuesday, The Ark 2 homeless camp on Oxford Road was forcibly evicted by security acting for Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), leading to the arrest of homeless resident Ryan Mcphee (for full details see previous Salford Star article – click here).
Now, MMU, Manchester City Council and Bruntwood property company is accused of "an unannounced act of brutal social cleansing". A statement issued this afternoon via End Homelessness Manchester on behalf of The Ark's residents absolutely slates the University, which, ironically, is about to host events for the Homeless Film Festival...
"We were forced from homes and safety in the space of thirty minutes, and had our possessions and property unlawfully confiscated, damaged and destroyed" they say "Ryan Mcphee was wrongfully arrested, for the second time for allegedly breaching the peace. GMP initially did so without giving any charge nor reading him his rights. He was dragged by force, and denied medical attention for hours in Longsight police station. When it finally came, he was released without charge.
"MMU informed us of procedures to retrieve what remained of our things" they explain "We followed them, with no reply. MMU withheld tents, food, water, clothing, first aid and fire protection from us overnight. It is only by the persistent efforts of Laura, an MMU alumni, that a van arrived yesterday with the damaged remnants of the eviction. Whatever wasn't in the van had been skipped, including everything listed above.
"We were told to call the MMU switchboard to find out if there was any way of getting them back, and to determine who was responsible – for throwing away food, water, first aid, protection and shelter for the homeless" they add "After several calls, we were informed we had to speak with MMU's solicitors."
"We are still under severe threat" they insist "Yesterday morning, Ryan was threatened again with police action by MMU security. By the terms of the possession order, a committal order can only be made 24 hours after written notice is given. This threat was made without legal authority."
A spokesperson for MMU responded: "Following last week's court action, on Tuesday morning we took possession of the land adjacent to John Dalton, which had been occupied for a number of weeks. Throughout this period, we have worked closely with Manchester City Council's homelessness team to support genuine cases of homelessness.
"On Tuesday morning, all members of the camps were given adequate time to remove their personal possessions, and larger items have been safely secured for retrieval within seven days" the spokesperson added "We will continue our work with both the Council and related charities in the City."
Now The Ark's residents have moved to Sydney Street across the road but they say that they are still under threat... "What and who survives of The Ark and the homeless from across Oxford Road are still facing persecution by the authorities" they explain "By the injunctions granted to Manchester City Council, Manchester Metropolitan University and Bruntwood, anywhere the homeless go in this vicinity constitutes not only trespass but carries the potential of two year imprisonment and a £5,000 fine. We are only surviving by the many members of the public who have come to our protection and aid."
Students at MMU are furious at the actions of their institution and Socialist Students, Manchester SASH (Student Action in Solidarity with the Homeless) and Youth Fight for Jobs Manchester have called a protest demonstration for noon tomorrow, Friday 23rd October at All Saints Park off Oxford Road.
The demo has been called to raise the following points...
`* The eviction of The Ark, and the harassment of homeless people by MMU and Manchester City council is deplorable. We believe that the persecution of the homeless people of Manchester must be fought against.
* The attacks on the Ark are part of a huge offensive of cuts by the city council that have slashed the budgets of everything from sheltered accommodation to mental health services, and many other cuts to services that students and workers across the city are utterly dependent on.
* The housing crisis in Britain is being driven by the money-making schemes of the government and local councils, that have houses standing empty bu would rather wait for private investor landlords to buy up housing stock than shelter people desperately in need.
* We also put forward the demand for students that education should be free, and that students should not have to pay extortionate amounts in debt to pay for a financial crisis we were too young to create. We also think it is obscene that the money we pay in student fees is being used by the university to attack the homeless.
* We also want to take a stand against the Government's ongoing austerity measures that are destroying lives around the country. Austerity is a lie that only serves to make those at the top of society richer at the expense of all of those at the bottom...'
For more details of the protest see the Facebook page – click here
For more details on The Ark see the Facebook page: The Ark Manchester
Or follow @TheArkMcr on Twitter
Further details can also be found on the Facebook page: endhomelessnessmcr
Or twitter @homelessmcr
MMU states that its work with the homeless can be seen at www.mmu.ac.uk/homelessness/ or email engagement@mmu.ac.uk
See also previous Salford Star article MMU to evict homeless people while housing the Homeless Film Festival – click here
This Saturday, 24th October, there is a further demo at noon at All Saints Park to Fight Cuts To Further and Higher Education - for details click here
Photos by Steven Speed
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