Susan Clairmont: Charges withdrawn against homelessness activists

Charges have been withdrawn against six members of an activist group advocating on behalf of the homeless who were arrested in high-profile clashes with police in November.

In a brief Zoom court appearance Tuesday morning, the young adult members of the Hamilton Encampment Support Network (HESN) took responsibility for their actions at J.C. Beemer Park and later at Hamilton Police Service headquarters, court heard.

The terms of their peace bonds, which are in place until Nov. 24, 2022 - the one year anniversary of the incident at the park - include:

• You shall not cross any posted police caution tape to enter a restricted area;

• You will not interfere with any police operation relating to the homeless;

• You are prohibited from participating in any demonstrations taking place in a public place or on public land unless the demonstration is peaceful and lawful;

• If participating in or being present at a demonstration which was peaceful and lawful you must immediately leave the area of that demonstration if it ceases to be peaceful or becomes unlawful; and

• You are prohibited from participating in organizing, aiding, or abetting any unlawful acts or demonstrations.

A social media campaign by HESN supporters had demanded the charges be dropped against the protesters. Many of those supporters were observers on the Zoom call as the charges were diverted to the peace bonds.

More to come.

Susan Clairmont is a justice columnist at The Spectator. sclairmont@thespec.com