Minneapolis Fends Off Homeless Encampments With Jersey Guards.

The Franklin Hiawatha Encampment first developed in 2018. Called the “Wall of Forgotten Natives,” the encampment expanded quickly to include several dozen tents. Encampments brought homeless people together to make homelessness visible, thus putting politicians in political peril over the issue. Native activists ripped apart several tents following the overdoes death on one resident. As colder weather approached, the camp suffered tent fires. After the encampment re-emerged in 2020, the city altered the environment by filling the fenced in area with concrete jersey guards and downed light poles to prevent future encampments. Read More.