Tents, equipment remain at Camp Take Notice; march planned to governor's house
Supporters Jim Radtke (left) and Art Taylor (right) remained at Camp Take Notice Friday to help with clean-up efforts.
John Counts | AnnArbor.com
A dozen people - about half former camp residents and half volunteers - remained at Camp Take Notice on Friday afternoon.
Many tents and equipment had also yet to be broken down.
John Litle, a camp supporter, said he was willing to get arrested for trespassing on the land past last night’s midnight extension.
“I’d be happy to do it for a statement,” he said.
Some of the campers plan to make a statement Friday by marching to Gov. Rick Snyder’s residence in Superior Township on Friday evening. The march is scheduled to start at Geddes Dam at 3:45 p.m. There will be an hour-long rally before the group departs at 5 p.m.
“We’ll go as far as the footpaths will take us,” read a flyer tacked to the camp’s community bulletin board.
Camp Take Notice once housed dozens of people before the Michigan Department of Transportation initiated an eviction from the state-owned property in Scio Township near Wagner Road.
With most of his former co-residents gone, Litle sat Friday near a smoking barbecue grill being stoked by another supporter, Art Taylor, as they prepared lunch.
Tate Williams, who co-founded the camp, sat on a cooler nearby.
He said the only reason anyone was still on the land was for the clean-up effort.
“We want to cooperate with MDOT,” he said. “We will make every effort to do so. We’ve developed a good enough relationship (with MDOT) I don’t want to destroy,” Williams said. “We’re hoping MDOT will allow us not only to relocate the individuals that left, but also (find new) property to continue to satisfy the always present need.”
MDOT said they plan on giving the camp at least another day, but that could be extended. Williams estimates that it will take two or three more days to clean up the rest of the camp.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Honest Abe
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 9:22 p.m.
The picture above really looks like they are trying to get out. I see a guy, standing there, the day of the deadline, with a spatula in his hand, barbequing his little heart out. Now that is how we get on it, and get moving!? Pffffff, what a joke! Drag those feet peeps!
Madhatter
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
So MDOT is going to give in to this group's illegal activity. This is an example of how we are becoming a society of enablers. If you protest enough you will get what you want, if you make a scene you will get attention, if you shout enough people will back down. We as a society need to keep pressing to make sure our laws and rules are enforced. Enough is enough--an eviction order was legally issued and it is time for these people to leave. If they don't leave they should be arrested for breaking the law. Stop being a bunch cowards and stand up for the law and society.
Madhatter
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
cow·ard ? ?[kou-erd] Show IPA noun 1. a person who lacks courage in facing danger, difficulty, opposition, pain, etc.; a timid or easily intimidated person. adjective 2. lacking courage; very fearful or timid. 3. proceeding from or expressive of fear or timidity: a coward cry. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/coward
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
mr governor, "can i mooch longer please?" i don't want to work. handouts are soo much easier and i've come to expect them.
julieswhimsies
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 9:12 p.m.
Wondering why so many Ann Arborites are so bitter and hateful when the topic of the homeless comes up...
Doug
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.
What were they doing during their school years when they should have been learning skills so they could make a living?
Jack Campbell
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 8:26 p.m.
How long ago did they give these "campers" the "eviction" notice? Why did they not clean up then? They are not being mistreated. Many are going to receive $950 rent for a year for doing absolutely nothing. Thats more than many of my 20-something friends pay for their rent. The time is up, leave please.
Top Cat
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 8:14 p.m.
"We'll go as far as the footpaths will take us," Well they don't appear to be lacking for energy. Now if only they could channel it into something productive.
jcj
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
I will be grabbing a grill and signs tonight!
jcj
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 8:11 p.m.
John Litle, a camp supporter, said he was willing to get arrested for trespassing on the land past last night's midnight extension. "I'd be happy to do it for a statement," he said. Might be the most constructive thing he's done in a few years!
xmo
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 7:44 p.m.
This whole thing is a Political Game and the Homeless are the pawns! Shame on the liberals/Progressives! Why did they choose Ann Arbor for Camp Sunshine? Rent is cheaper in Ypsilanti? They could own Camp Sunshine by now and they would not be evicted.
bedrog
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 8:55 p.m.
xmo- or you could more validly blame republican 'trickle down" policies...and those of repub. gov. engler who dumped the institutionizable mentally ill into the mainstream with disastrous consequences for everyone.. but of course you won't do any of that because it'd interrupt your looptape " bigbadobamaliberal" shtick ( about which, p.s. ,"message received" ..... and scornfully rejected )
javajolt1
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 8:47 p.m.
I'm not so sure who the pawns are here.... the folks from CTN have gotten this far. They're not so bad at manupulating situations either.
mkm17
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 7:36 p.m.
"We want to cooperate with MDOT," he said. "We will make every effort to do so. We've developed a good enough relationship (with MDOT) I don't want to destroy," Williams said. "We're hoping MDOT will allow us not only to relocate the individuals that left, but also (find new) property to continue to satisfy the always present need." This is a beautifully written statement. Best wishes to what is turning out to be a cooperative effort. And, big kudos to MDOT for their reasonable handling of a tough situation.
a2grateful
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 7:26 p.m.
Sorry the story is so painful for you anti k vetch. . . Please give our regards to uncle k vetch. . . Although he'll probably show up here soon. . . Wait for it. . . Otherwise, best wishes to the remaining campers. . . I hope you find peace, and a better place to stay. . .
jcj
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
They have already found peace! Albeit a piece of the tax payer property.
antikvetch
Fri, Jun 22, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
Is there a way to get live updates on this story? Minute by minute? It's such an epic struggle-