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One of the biggest violations that have been occurring is that residents are not provided their legally entitled time for fresh air and physical movement
Community volunteers on the ground have been fighting for this to occur in a safe and humane way. Frankly, this should have been responded to Day 1 of their detainment.
Today we were informed that residents would be provided a small engaged space whereby the could walk around. They would be fenced in like animals.
Volunteers fought all day with DHHS, VIC Pol and EMV to ensure that this inhumane idea would not occur and not be enforced. Instead residents would be provided with marked open spaces where they could roam alone, with children or with pets.
Tell me why residents shared videos of their “yard time”, in cages outside of 33 Alfred Street?? WE WERE INFORMED SPECIFICALLY THAT THIS WOULD NOT OCCUR.
This is a video taken by an Alfred Street resident, surrounded by police and caged in. This directly defied information provided to community by DHHS.
We were immediately concerned and informed DHHS of the issue and went to Alfred Street ourselves to investigate. This is what we found:
Officers provided us false information. An officer stated that caged air time was “an extra added bonus.” (I have this recorded)
Fresh air, walking and physical is a vital necessity for ones physical and mental health!
Fresh air, walking and physical is a vital necessity for ones physical and mental health!
Here is documentation provided to Alfred Street residents that specifically highlights mental health and physical health as a reason for exited their flat. This is why DHHS is doing this in the first place.
Here’s further evidence of what the cage looks like.
Police on site continuously placed road blocks in providing us vital information such as their commanding officer, obstructing any opportunity for us to advocate for residents.
Two residents came downstairs for their allocated “yard time” and became extremely distressed when they saw the caged conditions and abundance of police.
They repeat that they’ve received negative COVID results and are entitled to be outside.
They repeat that they’ve received negative COVID results and are entitled to be outside.
An officer blames us, community members, for the residents distress. The resident is shouting “I’m a prisoner in my own house,” meanwhile officers are calling in for more and more back up
We immediately contested the legal observers onsite to come down and provide legal advocacy
We immediately contested the legal observers onsite to come down and provide legal advocacy
Our community members begged Vic Pol to let us de-escalate the situation due to the residents trust with community however their response was to call even more officers and surround us
Eventually a community member was allowed to come in and speak to the residents from a distance.
Our volunteer was able to inform the resident that time outside was cancelled and that we were working on removing the fences and cages. The residents returned upstairs.
Our volunteer was able to inform the resident that time outside was cancelled and that we were working on removing the fences and cages. The residents returned upstairs.
I want to make note that Alfred Street residents have been encouraged by DHHS to book in Air Time outside and are entitled for this time.
The residents were not at fault for coming down.
The residents were not at fault for coming down.
We faced issues whereby a police officer refused to provide his badge number and identification.
This occurred after refusing to allow movement of volunteers and legal observers on their way over to support us. They asked for his details and he did not provide it.
This occurred after refusing to allow movement of volunteers and legal observers on their way over to support us. They asked for his details and he did not provide it.
This matter got escalated with the support of legal observers and DHHS are now dismantling and removing the cages!
Thank you @Flemlegal and @IMelbCL for being onsite and providing around the clock legal support.
Thank you @Flemlegal and @IMelbCL for being onsite and providing around the clock legal support.
Here is the video of the officer not providing his badge number to community members and legal observers
