Gilberto Gonzales, who lived in an Oakland encampment for 13 years, witnessed its recent clearing by city crews and a local businessman named Alberto. The city had struggled to secure the site, with repeated fence destruction by encampment residents. Alberto, now managing the area, expressed that those displaced had enough opportunities for housing yet chose not to accept them. Councilmember Noel Gallo noted that community members had long voiced complaints about the encampment due to safety issues, pushing for a change in the local landscape.
Gilberto Gonzales, a longtime resident of an Oakland encampment, witnessed the clearing of the site he called home for over a decade, emphasizing ongoing struggles of unhoused individuals.
Councilmember Noel Gallo detailed the repeated failures to secure the property, as fences were consistently torn down shortly after being installed by the city.
Alberto, a local businessman involved in the clearing, expressed no regrets about displacing the unhoused, citing long-standing concerns from residents and business owners.
Alberto defended his actions by mentioning that many individuals had ample time to secure housing but chose not to, voicing a sentiment for change.
Collection
[
|
...
]