Residents near People's Park in Berkeley have been unexpectedly confined to their neighborhood by police barricades set up to restrict access during a construction operation. Lou Cornum, a subletting resident and assistant professor, found themselves unable to leave for fear of not being able to return due to lack of proof of residency. UC Berkeley has established a temporary phone line to assist residents like Cornum, but the lack of prior notice and the heavy police presence have caused distress among locals. The university's actions, including towing cars without prior warning, have been criticized as an overreach, particularly as they aim to prevent protests against the construction of student housing on the park grounds.
UC Berkeley began walling off People's Park with a 20-foot-high barrier made of shipping containers to prepare for a student housing project, sparking protests and arrests. Despite an ongoing lawsuit preventing construction, the university is allowed to erect fencing. The park's closure led to the dismantling of community structures and the removal of protestors and encamped individuals. Law enforcement presence was significant, with over 100 officers from various agencies. Activists and community members continue to oppose the university's plans, citing the park's historical and political significance, while others support the need for student and homeless housing. Legal questions remain about whether the current actions at the park constitute construction under the court order.
UC Berkeley initiated a late-night operation to enclose People's Park with metal cargo containers, aiming to prepare for the construction of a student housing complex amidst legal disputes and protests. Law enforcement cleared protesters, some of whom had created makeshift structures and treehouses to resist the action. The university's plan includes housing for 1,100 students and 125 homeless individuals, while preserving 60% of the park as green space with historical exhibits. The operation, which involved arrests and the clearing of the park, was part of UC Berkeley's long-term goal to address student housing shortages, despite ongoing legal challenges and significant opposition from activists who see the park as a symbol of free speech and community.
UC Berkeley is closing the People’s Park construction site to prepare for the building of student and supportive housing, while awaiting a California Supreme Court ruling on legal challenges. The closure involves heightened security measures due to past violence and vandalism. The university is also addressing safety concerns due to increased crime in the area and has plans to revitalize the park space. The project has broad support from students, community members, and government officials, and aims to provide over 1,100 student beds and 125 apartments for low-income and formerly unhoused individuals, contributing to Berkeley's goal of creating more student housing.
UC Berkeley is facing resistance from activists as it plans to fence off People’s Park with shipping containers and barbed wire, despite an ongoing state Supreme Court case that currently bars construction. The university aims to build a 1,100-bed student housing project and supportive housing for formerly homeless residents on the site. Activists have occupied the park and are preparing for potential clashes, similar to those in August 2022, which saw a 12-hour standoff with police. The university has not commented on the specifics of the fencing plans or the potential law enforcement presence, but there are reports of extensive food service preparations for police officers, indicating a large-scale response may be anticipated. Local officials are urging restraint and respect for protesters' rights, emphasizing the park's historical significance.
