Eviction of Minneapolis Quarry encampment delayed due to "intention of violent confrontation," says official
MINNEAPOLIS -- This winter, residents and activists are calling on the state's largest city to stop clearing out homeless encampments.
It comes a day before the city of Minneapolis plans to close an encampment outside the Quarry shopping center in northeast Minneapolis.
"All we really want is a little bit of an extension to get our things out of here," camp resident Nate said.
The camp sits on city property. The city said Monday that approximately 10 current residents were given a week's notice to vacate by Dec. 28. It said it chose the date because that's when more shelters had available beds.
Charles has lived at the camp for the past year and a half.
"Most of us here actually have plans to move on from here but we gotta have time to finish working those plans out. Kicking us out to nothing again is going to make us have to start over again," Charles said.
The city says its homeless response team has been conducting regular site visits since May 2022. The team offers referrals to housing, health services, and storage of personal belongings. On Monday, the city said none of the present residents accepted shelter options.
"Those beds that are available are just usually overnight stays and most people would rather stay with their homes, their stuff--I mean they live here," said Simeon Aitken, Minneapolis resident.
Activists say most of the people living there are Native or Black.
"Why don't they get services? Why don't they get mental health? I'll tell you, it's extremely difficult to navigate the mental health system," Young Eagle said.
They say the clearing of camps further traumatizes and leaves belongings damaged or destroyed. They argue the money spent should be used for affordable housing instead.
"They are your brothers, your sisters, they're somebody's father, they're somebody's mother, uncle. It's about humanity here," former resident Paul said.
A city spokesperson said any resident who wants to be inside will be guaranteed shelter space. It will also provide transportation tomorrow morning to those who need it.
UPDATE: In a statement released Wednesday evening, a city spokesperson says the closure of the Quarry encampment is being postponed due to "intentions of violent confrontations":
Based on the totality of information the City received this morning, it was clear to us that there was an intention to have a violent confrontation with City staff over this encampment. As a result, and in keeping with the City's commitment to de-escalation, the closure has been postponed.
For the past week, the City, Hennepin County, and partners worked to offer and connect all current Quarry encampment residents with indoor shelter space and storage options. This outreach work has additionally been happening for months. The City intentionally waited to post notice to close the encampment until there were enough shelter beds available for all residents. The City also spoke with leadership at Rescue Now yesterday and was advised that they have not had a full night (50 beds) since they opened last Wednesday. Rescue Now ensured that no one would be turned away.
As of yesterday afternoon, all residents presently at the Quarry encampment had declined shelter options presented to them by the City's Homeless Response Team.
Homeless encampments are illegal in Minneapolis and pose significant safety risks to unsheltered people and surrounding communities. Multiple fires, minors living at the site, and winter weather have all contributed to increasingly unsafe conditions at this encampment and the City's decision to move ahead with a closure.
Learn more about the City's response to unsheltered homelessness.
