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PalPubPull t1_j874cm0 wrote

Here is the text. The reference is from a user on Facebook who seems to be a local advocate for the homeless

"Tonight I drove through hazy streets that still smelled of smoke to find several displaced individuals to talk to them about this video captured by a volunteer and advocate. The video matched a story I had heard from several other people at other campsites over the last couple of weeks, so I asked them to tell me their story.

Those I spoke to separately shared the same details that led to the images you are seeing.

Three deputies from the Greene County Sherrif Department came to a campsite carrying gas cans. They told residents that they had two minutes to get out of camp. Residents scrambled to grab belongings and get out of tents.

They watched as deputies (two males and a female) poured gasoline onto their homes. They watched as deputies grabbed additional items lying on the ground and tossed them back into the tents; that they then set on fire.

Most residents shared that they escaped with only the clothes on their backs. They watched as their medicine, sleeping bags, blankets, a brand new heater, vital documents, food stamp cards, and food went up in flames on a day that the temperatures were going to plummet tonight into the low 20 degrees.

As their belongings smoldered, deputies told them that if they went elsewhere and put up a tent, those would also be burned.

A few weeks ago- County Commissioners stood up and praised the coordinated actions of the Sherrif for arresting more than 10 individuals at numerous camps for trespassing. They called these actions tough love.

What is happening right now is not tough love... This is violence. This is arson. This is bullying.

While we do not have video footage or pictures of the actions that led to this video and the stories that I have heard, I feel confident enough that the stories and details that I have heard over the last few weeks are consistent with this video to share it. I share it for accountability and awareness. I share it to advocate for victims of this behavior who are often made to feel that no one will believe them or how they are being treated by law enforcement because they are vilified and stripped of their humanity.

I would love to know if there is body camera footage of these interactions to confirm these actions or dispute the consistent stories and several locations of charred earth around our community.

I would love to understand if these ugly actions that set people back in their efforts to find stability and shelter in our community are the new accepted standard practice of our Sherrif's department.

I'm going to be honest- tonight, I am struggling.

As I sat with impacted individuals this evening and listened- my soul ached. I am angry. I am sad. I am disappointed.

We are better than this Springfield and should expect better from our leaders and law enforcement officers.

This is what being homeless in the Bible-belt looks like. 💔"

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