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City of Duluth Preparing to Shut Down Gaza Protest Camp


The City of Duluth is preparing to try and shut down the Gaza Solidarity Encampment in front of City Hall.  The protest camp was set up on May 1 to draw attention to the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, and to call on the City to divest from Israel.  Since then the camp has become a hive of activism, and has continued to grow to well over a dozen tents, bringing together both protesters and people experience homelessness.

To date the City’s response to the camp has been rather muted. There has been some petty harassment by police and there was previously a threat to remove the tents over concern for the grass.  But things have recently escalated.  The City is holding a press conference onJuly 9 to announce a “proposed package of public safety ordinances”.  Among other things, the proposed ordinances which ban camping on city property, as well as make it illegal to affix any signs or markings to the Priley Fountain, which the encampment is next to.  Violating the new ordinances could result in up to 90 days in jail, and/or a $1000 fine.

While the City is claiming the proposed ordinances are not specifically aimed at the protest camp, both their timing, and the specificity of the proposals, indicate otherwise.

The City’s press conference on these proposed ordinances will be on July 9 at 1pm at the City’s Public Safety Building (2030 N Arlington Ave.)  The City Council's agenda planning session will be on July 11 at 5:15pm in the City Council chambers of Duluth City Hall.  And the next City Councilmeeting will be on July 15 at 7pm, also at City Hall.  All of these events would be good places for activists and people concerned about this effort to criminalize protest to attend.

We will keep folks informed as they unfold.   Twin Ports DSA is circulating a petition that you can sign online.  Reach out to City Councilors and tell them you oppose these proposed ordinances.  And if you can, please stop by the protest encampment whenever you can to show your support.  They have an ongoing need for firewood, food, beverages, gas cards and volunteers.

 

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