Edmonton Police Service [EPS] says it made three arrests at an eighth homeless encampment that the force and city deemed “high risk” near Rowland Road and 95 Street in the Boyle Street area of Edmonton Wednesday.
Video posted to social media shows Indigenous Elder Roy Cardinal being arrested before he was led away in handcuffs.
VIDEO: Violent scene as EPS break up the encampment at 95 St and Rowland Rd. Camp resident and Elder Roy Cardinal is seen with blood in his mouth and is led away in handcuffs after being taken to the ground and handcuffed. This sweep was done at -22C, -30C with windchill. pic.twitter.com/PLR8716IBN
— The Progress Report (@ProgressAlberta) January 10, 2024
Brandi Morin, a journalist who works for Ricochet Media, and happens to be Indigenous, says she was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice. Morin wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that she is “pissed.”
I am not a criminal. But today I was charged with a criminal offence while doing my job as a journalist documenting the actions of police raiding vulnerable, unhoused, unarmed Indigenous Peoples in their own territories to displace them out of their tent homes & throw their… pic.twitter.com/eHcZGKsN5Y
— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) January 11, 2024
I’m out of jail. Charged with Obstruction, which is a criminal offence. I’m fine.
— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) January 11, 2024
Have to appear in court Feb 1.
Thinking about the people who were displaced and hurt by the police today. Hiy Hiy to @ricochet_en for having my back. pic.twitter.com/U9Qchzh3Ns
Meanwhile, lawyers for the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights [CJHR] filed a lawsuit against the city of Edmonton Wednesday.
Edmonton Journal reports the Coalition argues the city’s actions on the recent homeless camp clear-outs endanger vulnerable people and violate their charter rights, and that CJHR hopes the suit will set precedent that changes how encampments are responded to across the province and country.
Justice Jonathan Martin extended an interim injunction until January 16. The injunction was initially granted December 18, and it paves the way for the city of Edmonton and EPS to dismantle homeless settlements that they classify as “high risk,” under various stipulations, including ensuring shelter space is available, issuing 48-hour notice, and that they will consider current weather conditions.
The temperature at the time the Rowland Road and 95 Street camp was cleared out was -22°C, with a wind chill value of -30°C.
In a media release, the city said it discarded two Tonnes of left over belongings from the Rowland Road at 95 Street encampment, including 31 propane tanks, and seven shopping carts.
