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The city of Dallas threatened a local unhoused encampment with displacement and destruction of personal property on Wednesday, January 27th. This encampment, near the Austin Street Shelter, is named Camp Rhonda after a beloved community member who tragically passed.
The camp has grown because of the involvement and leadership of several houseless individuals, including Rhonda, in coordination with groups like Diaspora United, Dallas Stops Evictions and several other organizations. This development began during the summer of 2020 uprisings against racism, when participants in the struggle recognized the necessity of sustained organizing.
Over the last few months, Camp Rhonda has become a vital distribution point for resources and donations to dozens of people in desperate need of support. The destruction of the camp would mean the loss of a critically needed central location where food, clothing, laundry and health screenings are all available. As is the case during any encampment sweep, many would lose their tents, documentation and even medication in the violent process of losing their homes.