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Homeless Advocates Are Planning To Protest Tomorrow’s Echo Park Lake Clean-Up
Visitors pedal swan boats on Echo Park Lake. Andrew Cullen for LAist Andrew Cullen/Andrew Cullen for LAist
The city of L.A. is planning a clean-up at Echo Park Lake on Wednesday morning, which will occur in and around a homeless encampment that now includes approximately 60 residents. Protests are planned, with groups including the Democratic Socialists of America announcing their intent to show up at the park prior to the clean-up.
There have been a number of protests at the lake amid the evolving debate about how to best serve Los Angeles’ unhoused residents. In January, a similar clean-up at Echo Park Lake was met with protesters who blocked city vehicles and stood near tents.
In a statement, Councilmember Mitch O'Farrell’s office said that tomorrow’s action will be a “regular maintenance day to ensure safe accessibility of amenities for all park users, conduct outreach to those experiencing homelessness, and educate the public on the rules governed by the City Charter.”
In addition to clean-up crews, staff from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and L.A. Sanitation and Environment will be on hand.
Homeless sweeps have been the target of protests over the past year. Those who oppose them claim that they are ineffective and result in people’s belongings being lost, destroyed or confiscated.
KPCC/LAist will follow the story with a reporter on the scene Wednesday morning..
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