People living and working in Auckland's central city are making their opposition to forcing out homeless people known. Photo: Supplied
People living and working in Auckland's central city are making their opposition to forcing out homeless people known.
On Thursday night, about 30 rangatahi took their sleeping bags to Karangahape Road to protest the government's new move-on orders.
The government confirmed this week that it would give police the power to move on rough sleepers, beggars, or people displaying disorderly behaviour, not just from Auckland CBD but from all town centres in the country.
Those who did not comply could be fined up to $2000 or jailed for up to three months.
Musician and activist Jazmine Mary organised the sit-in at St Kevin's Arcade.
"We've got signs that say 'homes not handcuffs', 'care not criminalisation', 'sleeping is not a crime', we've got people reading books and sitting on sleeping bags and having conversations about how things can change."
They said it was important to show solidarity with the unhoused community on the street.
"That's a part of why we're here to show that community that we're on their side. And we're also here to show any businesses in this area that aren't on that side that we care, and we're here, and we actually have a lot of power. And to ask the government, our public servants, to listen to us."
Musician, artist, and activist Jazmine Mary, who organised the sit in. Photo: Supplied
Another protestor, 24-year-old Mars Cook said the issue was personal for him.
"I'm using my privilege as a person who was formally homeless and now has housing, so I can be here and sit here and do a little bit of civil disobedience and raise awareness.
"This issue is perhaps the biggest issue that we have in the CBD and in Auckland in general, which is a lack of access to affordable, safe housing."
Ricki Dewstow, 23, was also outraged.
"This hits particularly hard for me. I'm not able to pay my rent this week. I'm so lucky to have a lovely friend that's helping me.
"Being homeless and sleeping on the street could happen to anyone in a matter of hours. Being told to move up the street isn't going to help you. It's going to further stigmatise you and make you angry."
People living and working in Auckland's central city are making their opposition to forcing out homeless people known. Photo: Supplied
Auckland City Mission's chief executive, Helen Robinson, updated the Auckland Council on homelessness and her concerns about the move on orders on Thursday.
After the meeting, she told RNZ she feared the move would push those who needed it away from support services like theirs in the CBD.
"The Auckland City Mission and our building here, Homeground, is located smack bang in the centre of the central city. We're a block from Sky City and two streets up parallel to Queen Street. Should the move on orders come, and let's say someone is in the middle of Queen Street and they're asked to move on a reasonable distance, which is what we understand the legislation says at the moment, that could mean they wouldn't be able to access our building."
She said the City Mission was looking at applying to be a legally recognised place of refuge so people issued move-on orders could legally access its premises.
She believed the government's plan would not be effective in reducing anti-social behaviour.
"I do really acknowledge the genuine intent of the legislation proposed to support a good law and order move, the Auckland City Mission wants that. And what we're genuinely saying is the answer is homes and support, not move-on orders."
Auckland City Missioner Helen Robinson. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Speaking to media in Auckland yesterday, Prime Minister Chris Luxon did not share Robinson's view.
"I disagree completely. What we're doing here is giving police the tools to deal with disruptive and anti-social behaviour in our CBD. And it's one tool that they have. Each individual circumstance is actually very complicated and complex, and police will make the assessment as to whether they exercise the move on order or plug the person into social services.
"But we want our families, visitors, and the public to be able to come into the city and not be abused, threatened, and intimidated."
But Aucklanders like 30-year-old Audrey May, who took part in the Karangahape Road protest, were not backing down.
"It's deeply wrong and unfair to allow people to be fined $2000 that they probably can't afford or a three-month prison sentence. It's kind of ludicrous, to be honest.
"I'm lucky that I can choose to come and sit down here for a few hours, whereas people born into different circumstances don't get that choice. They're sitting on the ground because they have nowhere else to sit."
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