Opponents of Albany Bulb Eviction Attend 'Camp-Out'

Several supporters of the people living on the Albany Bulb gathered at the Bulb tonight, Wednesday, for a "Solidarity Camp-Out" to express opposition to the planned eviction of the Bulb residents.

The event was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., and there were about two dozen gathered in the Bulb's amphitheater about 7:45.

The event was called to protest the decision by the Albany City Council to ask police to begin enforcing the city's no-camping law sometime this month against the 60-70 people who've been living in tents and makeshift structures on Bulb. The city's long-term goal is make the city-owned Bulb part of the McLaughlin Eastshore State Park.

"More are coming later," said Lesley Haddock, a camp-out supporter who had issued a press release about the event this morning.

During the next 15 minutes, Patch saw about 10 more people who appeared to be heading toward the amphitheater, which is about a 15-20 minute walk from the entrance to the Bulb at the foot of Buchanan Street.

During the short time Patch was there, members of the group shared food and milled about in the darkness. A few had flashlights, and preparations seemed to be underway to make a fire. 

"Anyone have a light and fire-making skills?" asked a male voice from the dark.

Haddock said the group also planned to watch two documentaries with the help of a projector and possibly a sheet.

Haddock, who has also served as a representative of Occupy the Farm – which staged occupations of UC-owned land next to University Village earlier this year and last year – said the camp-out was organized in part by the recently formed group Share the Bulb.

"I came out here and fell in love with the place," Haddock said. "It feels like an important place ideologically. ... They've built something really beautiful with a landfill."

Tess Keller, 24, of Oakland, said she's been coming to the Bulb three or four times a week after moving to the Bay Area five months ago.

"It's a very special place," she said. "As far as I've experienced, it's been pretty harmonious."

Keller, like a number of others at the gathering, said they weren't planning on spending the night. "I have work at 8 tomorrow morning," she said.

Albany police said that as of 10:40 p.m., there had been no reports of problems or police activity at the Bulb this evening.

City "Services Fair"

The city is co-hosting a "Services Fair" for the homeless on Thursday near the Bulb entrance with several local service agencies.

It will run from 2-4:30 p.m. and be located at the Golden Gate Fields lower parking lot, next to the Albany Waterfront. It is being co-hosted by the Berkeley Food & Housing Project, which is being paid $60,000 by the City of Albany as part of the city's "Project Hope" to assist the Bulb residents with alternative housing and services.

-----------------

For another way to connect with Albany Patch, you can "like" us on Facebook.