"Activists Attempt to Halt Portland Encampment Clearing Near Casco Bay"
In Portland, protesters attempted to block the clearing of a homeless encampment near the Casco Bay Bridge, lining up cars and linking arms in defiance of the city's no camping ordinance. The city delayed the sweep due to rain but is determined to enforce the law, citing illegal public camping. Protesters are willing to face arrest, and police are towing their vehicles. The encampment residents, who have been relocated multiple times, resist going to shelters due to strict rules and lifestyle incompatibilities. City officials argue that allowing the camps through winter poses greater risks, referencing 12 deaths in campsites this year. Despite available beds at the Homeless Services Center, the future of the encampment remains uncertain as the city plans to remove other camps as well.