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The National Park Service cleared a major homeless encampment in downtown Washington, DC on Wednesday, a move that eased local residents and infuriated activists. McPherson Square, located just blocks from the White House, has been effectively cordoned off from the rest of the public since the proliferation of the tent city during the pandemic.
The Spectator was the first to report in December that the NPS would start enforcing its no camping policy on park land in the nation’s capital. Signs went up around McPherson Square last month warning the inhabitants of the tent city that they would be removed on February 15.
Local activists arrived on scene as early as 5 a.m. to assist the homeless people in packing up their belongings. Shortly thereafter, the US Park Police cordoned off the area. Only the police, the DC Health Department and Pathways to Housing DC were allowed to access the park during the sweep.
During previous sweeps, including at Fort Reno, homeless people were offered housing vouchers or access to shelters. Janice Kaplan, a spokesperson for Pathways, declined to speak to the media about what services were being offered and how many homeless were taking advantage of them. “It’s all hands on deck right now,” she said.
There are estimated to be seventy people living in the park.
Media showed up to cover the event, but were chastised for taking photos by activists who claimed the press was “traumatizing” the homeless. One activist said that white supremacist groups and the Proud Boys were using photographs and videos of homeless people to target them on the internet and prohibit them from gaining access to long-term housing. When asked if it was problematic that the public parks were being made inaccessible to the rest of the public, the activist angrily replied, “No, because you have a home to go to.”
Several activists insisted that there were no services being offered to the homeless at McPherson and rejected the notion that DC shelters have beds available.
Another group of protesters showed up at the Department of the Interior on Wednesday morning to express opposition to the sweep.
Police and clean-up crews speculated that some of the displaced individuals might resettle in Rock Creek Park.
Police officers staking out the entrances to the park took turns dealing with combative protesters who demanded to be let in to the area. However, they also received thanks from residents in the area, who said they appreciated the clean-up and offered to bring them coffee. A homeless resident who did not live in the park told The Spectator he was also grateful that the area was being cleared, saying that there is “evil” residing within McPherson.
“This is a wake-up call they need,” he said.
Clean-up crews arrived around 10:20 a.m. with white disposable coveralls, gloves, N95 masks, shovels and rakes. Garbage trucks backed into the park. There was a distinct smell of urine emanating from McPherson, and several abandoned tents near the perimeter were covered in flies and trash.
Police have responded to numerous calls of harassment, assault and drug abuse at McPherson Square since the homeless encampment moved in.
