Activists camp outside Minneapolis City Hall to protest destruction of homeless encampments

Activists set up camp Sunday night outside Minneapolis City Hall in protest of how individuals experiencing homelessness are being treated, and the groups are planning for more action Monday.

Activists tell 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they aren’t going move until their concerns about the destruction of homeless encampments have been heard.

“Minneapolis has kind of gone on a rampage of destroying encampments. They bulldozed them. They burned them to the ground. They didn’t allow people to come back in and get their things. A lot people lost their shelter, their clothes, their identification documents,” said Andy, a community organizer.

Organizers say tearing down encampments doesn’t get rid of unhoused people, it just moves them.

“We’re demanding a complete moratorium on destroying encampments. If there’s no better alternative for those people then there’s no point to destroying encampments except further marginalizing people. If the city cares about their residents and marginalized people then they wouldn’t be doing something like this,” Andy said.

While they increase pressure on city leaders to come up with a solution, activists are handing out supplies to people in need. They’re asking for donations of items that help keep people warm, such as blankets, wool socks, jackets, sleeping bags and tents.

KSTP reached out to the City of Minneapolis Sunday night but has not yet received comment. Check back for updates.