Homeless Swept Away: NYC Clears Out Pavement Dwellers Ahead of UN General Assembly
New York City officials have made efforts to clear out homeless individuals who reside on the pavements near the United Nations (UN) headquarters in preparation for the upcoming General Assembly session. The operation aimed to keep them out of sight from visiting leaders and maintain a heightened level of security. These individuals, often living under tarps, cardboard boxes, umbrellas, and construction sheds, populate the pavements along First Avenue, Second Avenue, and surrounding side streets throughout the year. However, they were removed by Sunday evening.
This annual exercise reflects the ongoing struggle faced by a city grappling with a chronic housing crisis exacerbated by mental health issues that overwhelm the existing social services. While the clearance around the UN is directly linked to the upcoming event, New York City periodically demolishes settlements established by its impoverished population.
The focus on security measures for the high-level week, during which approximately 150 presidents and prime ministers will be staying in hotels nearby, extends beyond the removal of homeless individuals. Many streets in the vicinity will be cordoned off to ensure security and spare the visiting leaders the sight of the homelessness problem in the world’s financial and media capital.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) is tasked with the massive responsibility of protecting the plethora of world leaders. In September during the high-level meeting, the NYPD enforces a virtual lockdown covering an area of about 40 hectares, including the UN. Those approaching the UN headquarters must navigate through several checkpoints manned by UN security, police officers, and federal agents representing various agencies. Additionally, residents and workers in the surrounding buildings will also face cumbersome security procedures.
Given the magnitude of the event, police helicopters will be deployed to keep watch from above, while police and Coast Guard boats will monitor the East River behind the UN. This riverine precaution was implemented following an incident in 1964 when anti-communist Cubans fired a bazooka at the UN from the opposite bank of the river while Fidel Castro’s lieutenant, Che Guevara, was addressing the General Assembly. Fortunately, the attack failed to hit the building.
Although the current efforts to remove homeless individuals in proximity to the UN are driven by security and cosmetic concerns, the city regularly tears down encampments established by the poor. City records indicate that despite promises of proper housing, a recent audit revealed that only three out of the numerous displaced individuals received the hearings they were entitled to. Consequently, the vast majority, around 99.9%, of those forcibly removed in these sweeps remain homeless.
Reports also indicate that in 2022, police action led to the demolition of over 1,500 encampments, each containing multiple housing units. These settlements, euphemistically referred to as encampments, comprise huts and tents set up by the impoverished on public or vacant land, under bridges, or below overpasses.
As the UN General Assembly approaches, New York City has taken measures to ensure the safety and privacy of visiting world leaders by clearing homeless individuals from the pavements surrounding the UN headquarters. However, these efforts shed light on the ongoing housing crisis faced by the city and the challenges it poses to social services. While the security measures are necessary, it is crucial for the city to address the root causes of homelessness and provide suitable housing solutions to its most vulnerable residents.
