Berkeley opens temporary emergency shelter for wildfire smoke
Many homeless shelters have limited capacity during the pandemic, and most evening drop-in services are unavailable. This is one bridge option, says the city.
In brief
First They Came for the Homeless
Top Stories
‘The leadership that came from the streets has been decapitated’: Deaths of 5 homeless advocates in a year leaves a void
The loss of so many leading Berkeley activists who worked to give unsheltered people a greater say in their living conditions is sorely felt, but the fight will go on, say advocates.
City sets up hand-washing stations to help homeless, others avoid coronavirus
City workers also knocked on tents and talked to people to hand out 560 kits with hand sanitizer and information about COVID-19.
Recent stories
Mike Zint, vocal defender of homeless rights, dies
Zint’s “Poor Tour” around Berkeley thrust the plight of homeless people in city officials’ faces.
Jury finds Berkeley did not violate a homeless group’s civil rights
After a week-long federal trial, the jury said the city did not unfairly target First They Came for the Homeless because of its protests.
Berkeley faces homeless group during four-day trial
A four-day federal trial pits the city of Berkeley against a homeless group that argues its First Amendment rights were violated.
Did Berkeley target a homeless group for its political views? Jury will decide
Judge William Alsup dismissed other claims that Berkeley violated homeless people’s rights when the city took their belongings.
Federal judge rejects police brutality lawsuit over homeless camp arrests
A federal judge has ruled that Berkeley police officers used “minimal” force that was “reasonable” when they arrested several people who protested or resisted arrest during a homeless camp removal in 2016.
Update: Homeless protest camp outside Old City Hall cleared out
The First They Came for the Homeless campers who set up Saturday say the closure of an emergency shelter prompted the decision to pitch tents.
After Old City Hall fire, police arrest 1 man and tell homeless campers to leave
Notices of violation around the Old City Hall homeless camps order residents to clear out immediately.
Update: Judge certifies class status for homeless people in suit against Berkeley
A judge said “First They Came for the Homeless” has made plausible claims that Berkeley seized campers’ belongings and suppressed their political expression.
Berkeley winter homeless shelter plans uncertain, but costs could be substantial
It would cost the city nearly $1.2 million to provide 268 shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness this winter, according to papers filed Tuesday in federal court.
