A grand opening ceremony for a new plaza in Ronan Park, located at 2900 W. Lawrence Ave., was disrupted by protests over a nearby homeless encampment. The plaza, designed by Perkins and Will and Omni Ecosystems, features a performance stage, enhanced seating, a bike repair station, and other amenities.

Protests Erupt

At least four people held signs that said, ‘We want our park back’ and ‘Crime is crime, clear the encampment,’ while a half-dozen neighbors countered with signs that said, ‘Housing is a right’ and ‘No more sweeps.’ The two groups argued behind the podium as elected officials spoke about the park’s benefits.

Park security tried to calm the two groups, who loudly debated what to do about the park’s encampment and Chicago’s ongoing struggle to prevent homelessness. Encampment resident Leonilo Laude, who has been living in the park since March, said, ‘Whoever decided to protest decided to do so at a grand opening of a new public plaza at the park. I don’t know what’s more disrespectful.’

A Complex Issue

The riverfront parks along the North Branch of the Chicago River have been the site of multiple encampments of unhoused people. City officials have repeatedly cleared out the encampments while outreach workers attempt to place them in housing around the city. However, many of the unhoused neighbors’ network and family, friends, and jobs are often within walking distance of where they’re living along the river.

Tamara Fouche, who held a sign that said ‘No More Sweeps,’ said the neighborhood needs more shelters. ‘There are thousands of people who are homeless and more become homeless every day. It’s not reasonable to just keep shuffling people around and expect them to figure it out without any kind of support,’ Fouche said.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.