LAKEWOOD, NJ – The Township of Lakewood was put in the hot seat last month after officials cut down trees in the dowtown square used by the homeless to seek refuge from the heatwave that gripped the area.
The town now appears to be engaged in a cat and mouse game where trees are being cut down wherever the homeless population moves.
Lakewood officials have argued that the homeless in the square were urinating and defecating in public and creating a nuisance to residents and businesses in the downtown area.
This weekend, a rally has been organized by Destiny’s Bridge to protest the action by Lakewood Township officials.
After cutting down all of the trees in the town square, including the township’s giant Christmas tree, the homeless in the square sought refuge under a wooded lot across the street. Unfortunately, town workers with chainsaws and heavy equipment followed and cut down those trees. If the homeless population in Lakewood keeps relocating, downtown Lakewood might soon be devoid of trees.
“After all the trees were destroyed at the Lakewood Town Square, the homeless went across the street to find shelter under some trees at a small public parking lot. Well, the township must have seen them there and sent the demolition crew over to cut down all those trees, too,” said Reverend Steve Brigham, a homeless advocate at the Jersey Shore. “It is unbelievable in this country that boasts of some of the highest standards of civil rights in the world that we have these atrocities happening right before our very eyes. There has to be some serious political corruption in this state when a town can have over 300 + government supported segregated developments where people of color have been kept out by one means or another, and yet nothing is being done about it.”
“Now, Destiny’s Bridge is hosting a rally this Saturday, the 24th, at noon to let the Township of Lakewood and the County of Ocean know we are fed up with the way they are treating the homeless,” Brigham said today. “Lakewood cut down all the trees and took away all the benches and tables in the Town Square to deter the homeless from going there. They even cut down our beloved Christmas Tree that was in the middle of the park.”
Brigham said the event would also be used to collect donations for the displaced homeless population.
“Please come and let your voice be heard on behalf of the most vulnerable of our community! Winter is coming, and there is still no full-time shelter in the County. If you can, make a poster to show your support for the homeless. Also, remember to bring a folding camp chair to sit in since the Township took all the benches away. At the end of the event, if you would like, you can donate the chair to a homeless person, so they can sit, socialize, and enjoy the park every day,” he added.
