Crackdown at Echo Park homeless encampment begins as LAPD moves in, clashes with

Authorities on Wednesday night moved to close down a homeless encampment in Echo Park that has become a highly charged test of city leaders’ struggle to balance constituents’ demands for clean streets and public spaces with the ever-growing tragedy of people who have no homes.

Scores of police moved into the area, where they were met by more than 200 protesters who oppose the sweep. The Los Angeles Police Department told protesters to leave but most initially refused.

Park rangers, flanked by LAPD officers, began taping notices of closure onto trees and light poles on the east side of the park, where homeless people have been camping throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The signs said the park closes Thursday and gave notice that all personal property must be removed from the park, “including, but not limited to, tents, chairs, tables, backpacks, bags, and personal items…”

City contractors protected by LAPD officers unloaded fence from flatbed trucks. Flood lights helped guide their work as they pounded the panels of fence into the ground. Once it was up, the workers unfurled green fabric and hung it along the fence.

A line of police officers in riot gear moved slowly along Glendale Boulevard at the edge of the lake, telling protesters to “Clear the area!”

The protesters, a mix of homeless people and activists who have taken up their cause, refused to budge, and chanted back: “Whose park? Our park!”

The crowd then began chanting, “Why are you in riot gear? I don’t see no riot here!”

Police just before 10:30 gave a dispersal order to the crowd through a loudspeaker from a white truck, officially declaring an “unlawful assembly.”

There were some clashes, with police seen shoving some protesters and some bottles thrown back at officers. Police tried to push protesters back from the park but they refused to move.

Some residents of the encampment were saying they would not leave. But others decided it was time to go.

Edward Juarez dismantled a tent on the east side of the park as dozens of officers massed across the street. Park rangers, accompanied by police, taped signs to trees that said Juarez and others who lived in the park had to clear out by 10:30 pm Thursday.

Juarez, who has lived in the park since August, said the tent belonged to a friend who’d been placed last week at a hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Juarez, a professional photographer who said he lost his livelihood when the pandemic shut down concerts and other nightlife events he worked, said he planned to stay the night somewhere else, maybe on Alvarado Street or at a friend’s house.

“I just want to get out of here, it’s getting crazy,” he said, nodding toward the officers wearing helmets and carrying batons across the street.

Juarez said police officers came to the park last week and said the city planned to clear the park, although they didn’t tell him when the sweep would happen.

“It’s what it is,” he said. “What else are you going to do?”

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said the LAPD “was asked to support…