The deep injustice of mid-winter evictions

Thanks to the CDC and a momentarily willing city council, we’ve had campers in our parks since last spring. Specifically in Bidwell Park, in the area between Mangrove and One Mile. A few dozen made a home there, in tents and under tarps. A tough existence, but much better than the rousting and wandering experienced in “normal” times.

On Tuesday, January 10, the “rent came due” on notices instructing the homeless to vacate the park. Some had already left, but Tuesday was the day the police brought in heavy equipment and began clearing tents. Tuesday was the day the media were there, along with a hastily organized contingent of a few dozen observers — ”NO EVICTION” signs and iPhones in hand.

The deep injustice of rousting people, in the dead of winter, cannot be overstated. And the police were masterful in crafting a narrative of compassionate eviction, with not a single citation or arrest on which a legal complaint could be hung. No one at the command level of the Chico PD will find this view surprising; we’ve had multiple conversations, agreeing to respectfully disagree.

Over the next few days, I was on the street corner nearest the eviction, with some of my dearest friends and allies. Now down to a half-dozen protesters. My sign read “SHAME”. I’m ashamed of my own feeble response. I’m ashamed of this community. I’m ashamed, probably least of all of the Chico PD, who do our dirty work, in the midst of moral failure.

— Patrick Newman, Chico