Officials discard tents belonging to homeless people in World Cup host city

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleA tent installed by a 58-year-old homeless man after a shelter closed five months ago is seen in Atlanta, Georgia (AFP/Getty)Officials in Atlanta, a World Cup host city, reportedly discarded tents, medication, identification, and other belongings of homeless individuals without prior warning. The items were removed from Freedom Park, near where football fans are gathering, with city officials claiming it was “routine park maintenance” and not an “encampment”, thus negating the need for a warning. One affected individual, Kai, stated that her “whole lives was thrown away”, losing essential possessions. Some others lost items including medication such as blood pressure pills and an insulin kit. Atlanta city council member Kelsea Bond criticised the city's approach, arguing that the focus on strict definitions of “encampment” overlooks the significant impact on the houseless community. Homeless advocates contend that the city's actions are part of an effort to present a favourable image for World Cup visitors, at the expense of vulnerable residents, with the mayor previously stating he did not want homeless people near visitors. In fullAtlanta officials throw away tents and medication belonging to homeless people near World Cup spotMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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