Morally Bankrupt

Jan 13

It was 53° when Chico PD came to clear out the campers in Bidwell Park yesterday, and in the late morning, as they scrambled to gather their meager belongings, it began to rain.

An older woman stood on the edge of the bike path, struggling not to cry while waiting for a friend to help her move…somewhere. Beside her was everything she could take, whatever belongings would fit in an old bike cart (though she had no bike). She had been able to pack her tent, though not everyone was so lucky.

When they asked where to go, the police told them, “we can’t tell you where to go, but you can’t stay here.” Those evicted were given the list of “resources” below - note the reasons none of those options were viable for most people.

No Chico shelter is accepting new clients due to COVID. There is still no legal campground.

Yet in the midst of winter and a global pandemic, in defiance of CDC Guidelines, the city council drove these people out.

Many folks commented on social media that they had seen people wandering downtown, in the avenues and alleyways, carrying or dragging what they could, looking stunned and hopeless.

While they began with clearing people out of Bidwell Park, probably because it was the most visible, they are planning to clear other areas where people are camping as well in the coming week. This is not acceptable without any available shelter options.

This is who we are right now. And it needs to change.

Please, please, take a few minutes to contact the city council and express your outrage over the cruelty of this action.

Email the City Council

You can also support this on the Chico Engaged Website - please take a moment to vote and comment. We will ensure this gets passed on to the council and city managers.

Lastly, please forward this email and share information with friends and family who may not know what is going on.