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CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Lawyer calls Berkeley's surprise homeless sweep "a page out of the Trump playbook"
A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, to decide if a long-standing homeless encampment in West Berkeley should be allowed to continue. But there's just one problem. It doesn't exist anymore. The city tore it all down on June 4, less than a week before a federal court was supposed to decide the matter. And one federal judge isn't happy, ruling that not only were tents trashed in the operation, but so was the people's right to due process. A handful of tents have already returned to 8th and Harrison. But on the morning of June 4, without any notice, police and city cleanup crews descended on the homeless encampment. Officers ordered residents to be out in 20 minutes, using smoke and threatening non-lethal projectiles to hurry people along. Encampment resident Anthony Martinez was shocked by the action. "Yeah, that was abrupt. That was a draconian take," he said. "That shows me that you got a home, and I guess mine doesn't get included in your thoughts." The camp was torn apart, loaded into dump trucks, and disposed of. But many of the residents are members of an organization called the Berkeley Homeless Union, which had requested and was granted a federal order to stop any sweeps at 8th and Harrison. The order expired on May 23, but U.S. District Judge Edward Chen granted a hearing for June 10. The city decided it didn't have to wait for that and moved in to remove the camp anyway. "In the face of all that, the city simply decided to circumvent the judicial process, the civil justice system, and carry out what we are characterizing as a raid," said Anthony Prince, the attorney for the Homeless Union. "That was not an abatement. That was not even a sweep. That was a raid." Later that morning, Judge Chen issued a one-sentence ruling, halting the sweep even though it had already taken place. And in his explanation, the judge said the city had an obligation to provide the residents with proper notice of the sweep, especially after he granted them the June hearing. Berkeley argued that the campers were warned back in January that they could not live there, but the judge said that was not valid notice since it came before he granted the stay on any sweeps. "Thus, residents had a reasonable expectation that any abatement action in the interim would be preceded by some reasonable notice, both to allow them to prepare to move and to be able to seek immediate court relief, if necessary," he wrote in his ruling. "Under these circumstances, taking action without prior notice offends due process." "So, this is a very serious situation," said attorney Prince. "It is a complete disregard of the authority of the court, and because the hearing was scheduled on shortened time, we believe it is tantamount to contempt of court." And Prince believes it was no accident. He said he's concerned about the strategy, being played out across the country, of ignoring judges' rulings as a way of testing them. "I think we're in a very dangerous, very dangerous place," he said. "It's not unexpected from the Trump administration, which indicated openly that they were going to take these steps. But it is surprising that in the city of Berkeley, for them to have engaged in this raid, in this assault that took place Wednesday, is shocking. They took a page out of the Trump playbook." For now, the tents can stay, at least until Tuesday morning's hearing. What happens after that will not only determine the fate of a homeless encampment but could raise questions about the validity of the rule of law itself.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Machetes used in wooded-area hunt for Rowan County fugitive
MOREHEAD, Ky. (FOX 56) — New information was released on Friday about a fugitive who escaped from custody in Rowan County. The Morehead Police Department issued a public safety alert around 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 6, saying 35-year-old Anthony Martinez escaped from the U.K. Saint Claire Hospital in Morehead. In a Facebook post Friday morning, the Rowan County Sheriff's Office said Martinez was wanted for bank robbery and other charges. Reportedly, the police department received information on Thursday that Martinez may have been in a densely wooded area near Triplett Creek. They used machetes to cut their way through and spotted Martinez, giving him commands to get on the ground, the sheriff's office said. RELATED | Possibly dangerous Kentucky fugitive who escaped hospital arrested Martinez reportedly ran directly into an officer, and at one point, he was able to slip one handcuff from his wrist and assaulted the officer, telling him he was going to kill him. Other officers tried to get control of Martinez, but he continued fighting back, attempting to grab their weapons and pushing officers, ending up in the cold water of Triplett Creek. 'This suspect was approximately 6′ 2″, weighing approximately 240 pounds, and willing to do anything, including killing police officers, to keep from being returned to jail. I can only imagine what he may have done if he had encountered an unarmed resident,' Rowan County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. Nicholasville nonprofit gets a helping hand for a day of service Machetes used in wooded-area hunt for Rowan County fugitive Kentucky education leaders push back as federal mental health grants for schools face cuts In the sheriff's office call said that, despite what the news release from the Morehead Police Department would make you think, the arrest wasn't normal. 'So now that you know 'The rest of the story,' if you see one of the officers involved in this arrest, do exactly what I did, say thank you! Thank you for going above and beyond, thank you for putting your life on the line to make sure a dangerous fugitive is back where he belongs!' the Rowan County Sheriff's Office said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Yahoo
Possibly dangerous Kentucky fugitive escapes custody while at hospital
MOREHEAD, Ky. (FOX 56) — A man wanted in Indiana has reportedly escaped custody while at the University of Kentucky St. Claire Hospital. The Morehead Police Department issued a public safety alert around 5:45 a.m. regarding Anthony Martinez, 35, who escaped custody from Rowan County Detention Guards. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Officials said Martinez was last seen near the Boot Ranch by Main Street and KY Highway 32. The police said he does not currently have a beard or any facial hair. MPD advised that Martinez may be dangerous and is not to be approached by the public. Anyone who sees him should call 911 immediately. Officials said the public should stay vigilant until Martinez is back in custody. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
