Audio Commentary: Homeless Encampment Sweeps in Edmonton
Encampment Sweeps in Edmonton
What is it?
- Protests against sweeping of homeless encampments in the city of Edmonton
o Homeless encampments were raided by Edmonton Police in December of 2023
§ They did this because they were identified as “high risk” by the City of Edmonton’s risk classification system, as well as an intelligence report from the city’s healthy streets operations centre team that found there were sexual assaults in a camp.
§ Jeffrey Westman, legal counsel for the police chief, stated that the encampments could be at risk for higher levels of organized crime, human trafficking, and sexual assault.
o Protests lead primarily by Indigenous leaders took place at the scene of the encampments, joined by various non-profit organizations for homelessness and addictions, and some political leaders.
- Objectives of the protest:
o The main objective: Protestors wished to block action taken by the city to remove houseless individuals from their encampments
o They did this through various methods
§ Peacefully protesting at the encampment sites
§ Opening a lawsuit (lead by the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights) against the City of Edmonton challenging the practice of dismantling homeless encampments
o Raising awareness of the housing crisis in Edmonton
o Humanizing houseless individuals residing within those encampments
o Bringing forth conversation and action surrounding the colonial aspects of the housing crisis in Edmonton, which included educating the public on the history of Indigenous discrimination in the housing market and industry. Key factors of this conversation included:
· The exclusion of Indigenous perspectives when forming affordable housing policies in Canada following WWII
· The forcible relocation of Indigenous communities through residential schools and the pass system
§ Arguing that encampment sweeps violate human rights (as the federal government stated that those rights include access to housing in 2019)
o Awareness of the dangers of encampment sweeps which were set to occur days before a forecasted deadly cold snap
o Raise awareness of the realities of homelessness through various methods
· Mainstream media press coverage
· Judiciary efforts to bring about legal action against the City of Edmonton
· Social Media activism across mediums and platforms, which included:
o Short-form videos (Reels or Tiktoks)
o Images documenting the protests, sweeps, and encampments themselves
o Short interviews with individuals involved in the protest or sweeps
o Petitions circulated by politicians and advocacy groups through social platforms
o Short-form prose, editorials, blog posts, or opinion pieces shared across various blogging and digital media platforms
o Carousel-type posts displaying short graphics emphasizing the key points of the protest
- Outcomes of the protest:
- Unfortunately, the main objective of the protest was not achieved. The lawsuit brought forth by the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights was thrown out by the preceding judge.
o One day after the lawsuit was dismissed, the City of Edmonton set up an “Emergency Operations Centre”, which oversaw the removal of the encampments.
o Two weeks later, roughly 50 encampments were removed, with 175 houseless people who had been residing in them becoming displaced.
o As of February 12th, 2024, the EOC has cleared 191 sites.
o In 2023, 301 people died as a result of homelessness, a significant increase from the 200 people who passed in 2022
- Despite this, the secondary effects of the protest continue to remain relevant in discussions on housing policies at every level of government
o As a result of increased pressures perpetuated across social media apps and other media platforms, from the protests of the encampment sweeps as well as other pressing housing concerns regarding rising rents and housing regulations within the province, the City of Edmonton declared a “housing and homelessness emergency”.
§ Though some criticize this declaration as performative in nature, it was considered to be a “win” for the advocates and protestors involved in the encampment sweeps, as it increases the level of importance amongst politicians, and as a result has brought forth more discussions (and potential solutions) within the parliament.
§ This emergency declaration places the housing crisis at a higher level of importance, which will (in theory) allow actionable solutions to be implemented much more quickly than they would be prior to the declaration.
o Discussions regarding homelessness, addiction, and the contribution of inflation to the financial stress of countless Albertans have become far more prevalent over the course of 2023, and the encampment sweeps served to provide a glance into a lifestyle that many people fear and dehumanize.
§ Educating the general public on the issues that homeless individuals face in their daily lives, as well as the hurdles that they are unable to overcome as a result of their houseless status, broadened many perspectives and sparked more critical analysis of preconceptions regarding the homeless community.
§ Independent activists on social media served an especially important role in giving houseless individuals a “voice” that they would be otherwise unable to access in mainstream press and politics.
o Education regarding homelessness as an intersectional issue that transcends various levels of oppression and affects people across many communities united members of the general public in understanding that homelessness is not a personal issue.
§ A few common quotes were circulated across media and have been perpetuated in comment sections below various types of posts regarding rising cost of living in Canada
· The comments perpetuate a greater sense of empathy for houseless members of our communities. Some of these comments include sentiments such as:
o “Most people are closer to becoming homeless than they are to becoming millionaires.”
o “Many people are one accident away from becoming homeless.”
§ The viral nature of these discussion has allowed this empathy to affect areas of the internet that may not be exposed to more marginalized narratives, furthering the motivations of the original protestors.
- On a higher level, the outcomes of this protest provoke discussions regarding social media’s attraction to the exotic, and our collective fascination with tragedy, especially regarding narratives that we fear on a personal level.
o Because homelessness is something that many people are very close to experiencing themselves, the level of fear surrounding their stories provokes more interest.
o When people realize that there is a potential of having to live in those conditions themselves, they feel a greater sense of responsibility and motivation to “fix” those issues.
§ The videos, articles and interviews regarding living conditions within encampments spurred more collective action from individuals who may not have been politically involved in the past— this protest went beyond those who are motivated by empathy, and brought forth the action created from fear.
- On a personal level, I felt deeply connected to this issue. I involved myself deeply within the online portion of this protest, and felt it was my own personal responsibility to better educate myself on the intersection between homelessness, racism, sexism, and the extensions of oppression beyond just the current issue of the encampment sweeps. At the time, I was also facing monetary pressures and worried about my own living situation and rent costs. Though I would consider myself to be a fairly empathetic individual, I think a lot of the discussions I had within my own community was motivated by a certain degree of fear, as well. The encampment sweeps, and the perspectives I specifically sought out to gain a better understanding of the issue, helped to humanize a group of people to me, as well— my own preconceptions and fears regarding houseless individuals were challenged as I sought to listen to their stories and better understand their perspectives. I found myself researching what is being done to solve this issue, and had a better understanding of why certain policies or solutions brought forth by our political advocates were not “helping” this community in the way they required. Perhaps most importantly, I recognized that much of our political discourse surrounding the issue of homelessness rarely even included the voices or perspectives of those who were currently, or had in the past, experienced homelessness. Were it not for the protest, and the perpetuation of its goals on social media platforms that I frequented (primarily Instagram), I don’t believe I would have been challenged in my own preconceptions and would not have grown, as a result. In my own life, I feel more confident in engaging in discussions regarding the housing crisis because of this growth, and try to inject those conversations with the perspectives of those marginalized individuals.
References
Much of the dialogue I recorded regarding this issue was influenced by the readings provided in Module 6. The incorporation of marginalized voices, and the shifting of narratives from a Western view to encompass the perspectives of those directly involved in the issue— as well as contextualizing the issue in history— was particularly important to me. Extrapolating this concept, I also share my thoughts regarding accessibility within protests, and I reflect on the multimodal communication forms of my chosen protest. In incorporating this accessibility in my own submission, I will be submitting the above as a transcript of my recording, and have chosen to keep its structure as a bullet-point form to emphasize the key aspects of the protest, while still breaking down the specifics. In my recording, I speak to the accessibility of language, and how I am grateful for the different methods of protest in my chosen example, as it allows me to share the key points with friends and family members who come from various literary backgrounds. The list format, accompanied by a peaceful, informal discussion regarding its key points, hopefully allows this discussion to remain open for other opinions and additions.
I believe the informality of social media, and the accessibility of language in this form of communication, is what encouraged me to involve myself more heavily in this specific protest. Oftentimes, academic or professional jargon can create a barrier to inclusivity by excluding individuals without a strong literary or educational background. I appreciate that social media allows for the inclusion of voices from various levels of literary competency, and given the fact that individuals experiencing homelessness may come from backgrounds where they weren’t able to access higher levels of education, I thought the informality of my submission catered towards their own inclusion, specifically. If I want to be able to uplift marginalized voices, I want to contribute to making the discussion regarding their circumstances accessible to their community.
Sources
Riebe, N., & Snowdon, W. (2024, January 17). Edmonton declares homelessness emergency, while judge scraps lawsuit against City’s dismantling of Encampments | CBC news. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-council-alberta-cabinet-homeless-housing-1.7085148#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20301%20people%20died,using%20statistics%20from%20city%20administration.
Riebe, N. (2024, February 13). At least 265 people evicted from Edmonton Homeless Camps Visit Navigation Centre | CBC news. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/at-least-265-people-evicted-from-edmonton-homeless-camps-visit-navigation-centre-1.7113218
Boothby, L. (2023, December 15). Edmonton police plan homeless encampment sweep ahead of holidays ...edmontonjournal.com. https://edmontonjournal.com:443/news/local-news/edmonton-police-plan-massive-130-plus-homeless-encampment-sweep-ahead-of-holidays
Snowdon, W. (2024, February 1). 49 homeless encampments dismantled in Edmonton since lawsuit scrapped | CBC News. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/49-homeless-encampments-dismantled-in-edmonton-since-lawsuit-scrapped-1.7100396
Johnson, L. (2023, December 29). Edmonton homeless camp dismantled Friday as sweep of removals begin ...edmontonjournal.com. https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/high-risk-encampment-dismantling-to-begin
MacDonald, K. (2024, February 8). Encampment sweeps in Edmonton are yet another example of settler colonialism. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/encampment-sweeps-in-edmonton-are-yet-another-example-of-settler-colonialism-221676
Jacobs, S. and Herman Wasserman, (Nov. 2018). Siqalo showed how social media is reshaping protest narratives, News 24. Retrieved from: https://www.news24.com/Analysis/siqalo-showed-how-social-media-is-reshaping-protest-narratives-20180511
Neumayer, C., & Rossi, L. (2018). Images of protest in social media: Struggle over visibility and visual narratives. New Media & Society, 20(11), 4293-4310. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444818770602
Osman, Laura. (29 November, 2022). Social media tools were key to 'freedom convoy' protest, expert tells inquiry. CTVNews. Retrieved December 16, 2023, from https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/social-media-tools-were-key-to-freedom-convoy-protest-expert-tells-inquiry-1.6172691
Gladwin, D. (2020). Digital storytelling going viral: using narrative empathy to promote environmental action. Media Practice & Education, 21(4), 275–288. https://doi-org.login.ezproxy.library.ualberta.ca/10.1080/25741136.2020.1832827
This is a very comprehensive and insightful overview of the homelessness issue in the city of Edmonton, along with a personal statement. One aspect that particularly struck me was the mention in the audio of the crucial role played by social media platforms in disseminating protest information and mobilizing support. Through various forms of content such as videos, images, and petitions, protesters successfully captured the audience's attention and spread the message widely. Additionally, social media facilitated discussions about homelessness, challenging preconceived notions and providing marginalized voices with greater opportunities to be heard. The informal nature of communication on social media promoted inclusivity and accessibility, allowing individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate.
ReplyDeleteThis provides a powerful complement to my audio: the conversational nature of communication on social media often allows for more inclusive dialogue and engagement, enabling marginalized groups to be more thoroughly discussed rather than overlooked in the public eye. This democratization of communication allows for a more comprehensive understanding of complex social issues, such as homelessness, and encourages collective action towards addressing systemic challenges. Additionally, the viral nature of social media content ensures that important messages reach a broader audience, sparking conversations and driving meaningful change beyond traditional boundaries. Overall, the intersection of social media and activism represents a powerful tool for promoting social justice and driving positive societal transformation.
Before exploring your analysis, I didn't have much knowledge about the specifics of the Encampment Sweeps in Edmonton. However, through your detailed examination of the protests, objectives, outcomes, and personal reflections, I've gained a deeper understanding of this significant event and its broader implications. Your analysis of the protest's impact on social media platforms and its role in amplifying voices and fostering discussions is noteworthy. The way you highlighted the use of various communication methods, from short-form videos to petitions and blog posts, demonstrates a strategic approach to advocacy that is both inclusive and effective. Your recognition of the accessibility of language and the importance of making discussions about homelessness accessible to all further emphasizes your commitment to inclusivity and social justice.
ReplyDeleteAs my topic was about the Pamir Protest, it shares some similarities with your analysis of the Encampment Sweeps in Edmonton. Both protests stem from injustices faced by communities. In the case of the Pamiri people, their protest was a response to systemic injustices and discrimination they experienced, highlighting the broader issue of minority rights and social inclusion.
One notable similarity between the two protests is the use of social media as a tool to raise awareness and mobilize support. Just like the Encampment Sweeps protest utilized various digital communication methods, the Pamiri people also leveraged social media platforms to amplify their voices and shed light on their cause. This strategic use of online platforms underscores the evolving landscape of activism and the power of digital tools in driving social change.
Your exploration of the Encampment Sweeps protest and my analysis of the Pamir Protest both underscore the power of activism in addressing societal inequalities and advocating for change. By delving into these protests, we've gained insights into the resilience of marginalized communities, the importance of amplifying their voices, and the need for inclusive dialogue and action.
Overall, your analysis provides a compelling narrative of activism, advocacy, and personal growth within the context of a pressing societal issue. Your involvement in this protest has not only broadened your understanding but also empowered you to contribute meaningfully to conversations about housing, homelessness, and social inequality.