New York city hides away homeless pavement dwellers ahead of UNGA session

Officials in New York City have taken action to clear homeless people living on the footpaths near the United Nations headquarters. They did this because the General Assembly session is happening, and they want to keep the homeless out of sight from visiting world leaders and to enhance security.

Dozens of individuals had been living in makeshift accommodations like tarps, cardboard boxes, umbrellas, and construction sheds along First Avenue, where the UN is located, as well as Second Avenue and nearby streets. They were removed by Sunday evening. This is something that happens every year because the city is facing a housing crisis, and there are also many mental health issues that strain the city’s social services.

In addition to moving the homeless, security measures are being taken for the UN event. Many streets around hotels where approximately 150 presidents, prime ministers, and other important people will be staying will be closed. The General Assembly is a big event for national security because it’s important, and many important people attend, almost 200 delegates. Preparations for this event have been going on for months.

Clearing away the homeless serves not only security purposes but also to hide homelessness from the view of important visitors in the world’s financial and media hub. The NYPD officials said their main goal is to ensure the safety and security of the people in the city and the visitors.

While the recent removal of individuals around the UN is mainly for security and cosmetic reasons, the city also periodically takes down encampments set up by its impoverished residents. Unfortunately, most of the individuals displaced in these operations, about 99.9% of them, remain homeless. This information was shared in a statement to the National Public Radio network in June.

In 2022, there were reports of over 1,500 encampments being dismantled, and each encampment housed several individuals. Law enforcement helped with these removals.

Highlight the ongoing homelessness issue in the city

So, in summary, officials in New York City cleared homeless individuals from the area near the United Nations headquarters to enhance security and keep them out of sight during the General Assembly session. This happens annually due to the city’s housing crisis and mental health challenges. Security measures, including street closures, are in place to protect important dignitaries. However, these actions also highlight the ongoing homelessness issue in the city, and despite periodic removals, the majority of those displaced remain without homes.

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