Protesters gather after city looks to move Roos Island encampment members

A group of about thirty protestors gathered on Thursday to show support for the people still living in the encampment located on Roos Island in Victoria Park.

The encampment was set up last summer on the island and grew to about 60 tents. It started as part of a protest but also included people experiencing homelessness.

On Wednesday, the city set up a gate at the Roland Street bridge to the island and security guards were in place after the people living there had all been asked to move to other accommodations. The city said this was to give people living on the island safety and privacy as they prepared to leave.

Thursday's protest was organized by Fight Back KW, an organization that describes itself as a far-left social justice organization.

At one point, some protesters managed to break through the gates. The protesters were stopped by security and Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) officers as they tried to cross the bridge.

They were seen asking police if they could bring encampment members food — but the request was denied.

Police and security said nobody is allowed to cross the bridge for the duration of the protest, but they made an exception for members of the Waterloo Region Community Legal Services team that wanted to inform encampment residents of their rights and options.

City says it's taking 'human rights-based approach'

A spokesperson for the city said of the previous encampment only six people remained on the island as of Wednesday, before the gates were put up.

"Of the six people on Roos Island yesterday, two have left for longer-term interim housing and we expect two more may leave shortly. We're continuing to support the remaining two to find alternative housing," an email from the city said.
 
"Staff have been at Roos Island seven days a week for the past 10 months and have developed strong relationships with campers," the email continued. 

"They were aware that the bridge would be temporarily gated and that they are free to come and go as they please. The city has been intentional about taking a human rights-based approach to the Roos Island encampment by supporting and engaging with campers and working to secure safer and more appropriate housing."

Access to services, food

Shannon Down, the executive director of the Waterloo Region Community Legal Services team, said there should have been more public consultation from the city.

"It kind of happened out of the blue," she said. "We weren't aware it was going to be happening until the gates went up ... we're just here to make sure that they understand what options they have and to make sure that they feel like they have a choice of whether they're leaving or staying here on the island."

Ashley Schuitema, another lawyer on the legal services team, said the presence of security, bylaw and fencing is potentially putting pressure on people to accept the offer to move to the region's new outdoor shelter — even if that space does not work for them.

"What happens if I say no? I don't think that what's happening here ... is necessarily charter compliant in terms of the rights of the encampment residents, in terms of accessing services or being able to leave on their own free will."

One of the protesters trying to gain access to the island, Wren Wombwell, said they were trying to bring food to residents of the island, who hadn't eaten since the previous night, they said.

When asked why the members of the encampment won't come off the island to access food services, Wombwell said it's not that simple.

"There is a lot of barriers to people even leaving their tents, like exhaustion is a big thing," they said. "They're often up all night and then sleeping during the day because that's what's safer for them. So meal options happen during the day, so that can make it harder."

They said members of Fight Back KW have previously been allowed to pass through the gates to drop off food and supplies.

Support from various local organizations

Representatives from a number of local support organizations were also present.

Members of the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region (SDCWR) showed up. The group said they wanted to know if encampment residents would be able "to meaningfully consent to move" to the region's new outdoor shelter at 1001 Erb's Road.

In a press release, SDCWR said "it is unclear what options residents were provided with and whether they were able to receive answers to all their questions".

Members of the Land Back camp, like Sarah Siembida, were also present.

"Land back is here because we know what it's like to be evicted from our own homes, on our own lands," they said.

"It's pretty ironic. These gates are up here, meanwhile, we're preparing to build a a permanent sacred space that we've been advocating for for so long. It's disheartening."

The protest began at 11 a.m. and wrapped up a little after 1 p.m. on Thursday.