More than 100 people gather Thursday evening to support Echo Park

A block from where city workers continued clearing a homeless encampment at Echo Park Lake, more than 100 people, including some unhoused individuals, gathered Thursday evening for a rally to continue a multi-day protest against the sweep. Though billed as a “vigil” by organizers, their intent was not to grieve, but to emphasize their message to try and prevent the impending park closure, which has drawn a heavy, armed response from police and resulted in the arrest of some activists.“Not so much to grieve, as much as to prompt people to come here in solemn, respectful recognition that what we’re defending here are human rights and those are sacred, ” said Kelvin Martinez, an organizer with Street Watch Los Angeles’ Echo Park chapter, before the vigil. The park camp has been described as a functional community by homeless advocates. Residents of the encampment ran their own garbage services and with the help of activists, built their own showers and kitchens, Martinez said. As of Thursday, 161 people had left the camp for Project Roomkey hotel rooms and other temporary shelters, said Councilman Mitch O’Farrell. Another five would leave soon. Around 15 remained at the lake.“We believe people should self determine what their shelter should look like, ” Martinez said. “If people want to shelter they should get a shelter absolutely. ”But he questioned why the city is offering the precious housing space to individuals who already had their own community and not others who live in less sustainable conditions, such as beneath underpasses.“Folks in the park have been building community, ” Martinez said speaking into a microphone, drawing cheers from the crowd. “That’s the crime they committed. ” All data is taken from the source: http://dailynews.com Article Link: https://www.dailynews.com/2021/03/25/... #park #newsbloopers #newstodayusa #newstodaycnn #usanewstoday #newsworld #