A CALL TO ACTION

Over the past week, people camping in Aberdeen have been issued eviction notices.

In Aberdeen, if you are really down and out, if you have lost everything, if you get kicked out of your parents’ or your friend’s place, if you need to save money to pay for a hotel during the winter, there is one last place to go. Along the Chehalis river running through town, in the ruins of old mills and pilings, people have semi-permanent camps. Some brave souls live year round in the camp. The rest migrate in and out as their fortunes change.

Every year or two, the camps are evicted. One year, residents say that the city moved in and burned everything. In the months following, people always come back. Because it truly is the last place for Aberdeen’s poorest. Over the summers I have been here, up to 70 people camp along this stretch of river.

This time, word on the street is that the city hopes that this is a permanent eviction. There are hopes for a waterfront park instead.

Over and over, people tell me; “In this city, the poor are of no importance. We are just a nuisance in the way of redevelopment.” People who camp are asking; “Where will we go?”

The city has no plan in place to answer that question.

It is in times like this, moments like this, when the church is called to make a stand.

We are only just beginning, listening to people on the ground, building relationships, researching next steps. And here is how you can join us:

 

1.      We will attend and voice our concerns at Aberdeen City Council, Wednesday, March 25. If you are local, please join us at 7:00 pm, as we ask city council to take our concerns about housing seriously.

 

2.      We are actively looking for ideas for places that camps can relocate and people can find temporary relief. Public land, private land, church parking lots. If you know any place that could work, please let us know.

 

3.      If there is a forcible eviction, we will do everything we can to be present in protest and witness. Stay tuned and please join us. We would love to have as many people as possible join. The more attention we can get to this dismantling of people’s homes, the better.

 

4.      A group of pastors in town are collaborating to put together a research project, assessing housing in Aberdeen. Who owns it? What condition is it in? How many houses stand empty? We are fundraising to support a few college interns to assist with this data gathering. We expect that this will be part of a long term effort to address our long term housing crisis.

 

5.      We ask you to join us in prayer for this city and most particularly for those who are most affected by this eviction. May God grant justice to his people!