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Homeless Advocate Detained 9 Hours During Encampment Eviction
13 Oct
Summary
- An advocate was detained for nine hours during an encampment clear-out.
- His lawyer cited concerns over arbitrary police powers and detention reasons.
- The advocate missed his tipi's ceremonial takedown while in custody.
A Saskatoon lawyer is raising alarm over the lengthy detention of a homeless advocate during an encampment clear-out. David Fineday, a prominent advocate, was held for approximately nine hours on Thursday while police and fire officials removed residents from an encampment on Avenue K.
Fineday, who was living at the encampment, stated he was detained upon returning to retrieve a smudge pot. His lawyer with CLASSIC argued his prolonged custody for mischief over $5,000 was arbitrary and potentially used to keep him away during the operation.
Saskatoon Police cited processing times as the reason for the nine-hour detention, adding that the matter is now before the courts. The encampment, which housed over 100 people, was cleared, with around 80 tents removed and the area fenced off. Nearly 6,000 kilograms of garbage and debris were collected, much of which comprised residents' belongings.
CLASSIC noted that such extended detentions usually occur for intoxication or public risk, neither of which applied to Fineday. The organization expressed sadness that an Indigenous man was held so long he missed the ceremonial takedown of his tipi and sacred items.
