Boston police destroyed wheelchairs belonging to homeless residents Tuesday night. (Image: composite, Twitter)
Aug 07, 2019
Police in Boston Tuesday night reportedly destroyed three wheelchairs belonging to homeless city residents in a garbage truck compactor as part of a crackdown targeting the city's transient population.
"Operation Clean Sweep" began August 2 after a county corrections officer was allegedly struck during a fight involving a number of people on "Methadone Mile," a stretch of the city near Massachusetts Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard where there are a number of clinics and treatment centers. The area has a high homeless population, many of whom have been the target of the operation in the five days and counting it has continued.
The destruction of the wheelchairs is only the latest incident involving the trashing of the possessions of homeless people in the operation.
\u201cCops ordered folks away from BMC, wouldn\u2019t allow them to take their belongings & threw them away! \n\n\u201cTHEY DIDN\u2019T LET HIM TAKE HIS POSSESSIONS. THEY THREW THE STUFF THAT HE JUST BOUGHT IN THE DUMPSTER TRUCK AND CRUSHED IT.\u201d \n\n#OperationCleanSweep\u201d— Cassie Hurd (@Cassie Hurd) 1565139878
One of the destroyed wheelchairs was reportedly confiscated from a man named Jarrod who was hit by a car last month.
"It was heartbreaking to speak with Jarrod, who lost not only his wheelchair, but everything he owns that he keeps in his backpack," said homeless advocate Cassie Hurd.
\u201cThey just crushed three wheelchairs! \n\nIt was heartbreaking to speak with Jarrod, who lost not only his wheelchair, but everything he owns that he keeps in his backpack. He was hit by a car last Tuesday. @CityOfBoston @marty_walsh this is inhumane & cruel. #OperationCleanSweep\u201d— Cassie Hurd (@Cassie Hurd) 1565143228
Hurd told Boston Magazine that Jarrod's wheelchair was taken after he left it "for a minute" in spite of pleas from his partner to police.
"He is not able to be mobile without it, and not having a home, nowhere to sit, nowhere to go, and was having pain," said Hurd of Jarrod. "He couldn't really balance or walk."
A viral image of the wheelchairs being destroyed made its way across social media Wednesday, generating outrage.
The police behavior was "cartoon evil," tweeted media reporter Adam Johnson, who also noted the largely unmentioned historical significance of the operation.
"Mass removing homeless people (e.g. human beings) and calling it 'operation clean sweep' (the obvious implication being said human beings are trash) is genocidal rhetoric and it's disturbing no one in Boston government or media feels the need to point this out," said Johnson.
Journalist Miles Howard questioned whether the images would have any effect on the future of the operation.
"The questions at the heart of #OperationCleanSweep are whether there's dignity in being human (I believe there is) and whether government should honor that intrinsic dignity (I believe it should)," tweeted Howard. "[Boston Mayor Marty Walsh] has chosen to treat the homeless as subhuman trash. What do you think?"
Court Watch Massachusetts appealed to the better nature of Bostonians.
"Can we all agree that it is inhumane and cruel and a waste of resources to crush the wheelchairs of people who are living on the street after a car accident in a full body cast?" the group tweeted.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Police in Boston Tuesday night reportedly destroyed three wheelchairs belonging to homeless city residents in a garbage truck compactor as part of a crackdown targeting the city's transient population.
"Operation Clean Sweep" began August 2 after a county corrections officer was allegedly struck during a fight involving a number of people on "Methadone Mile," a stretch of the city near Massachusetts Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard where there are a number of clinics and treatment centers. The area has a high homeless population, many of whom have been the target of the operation in the five days and counting it has continued.
The destruction of the wheelchairs is only the latest incident involving the trashing of the possessions of homeless people in the operation.
\u201cCops ordered folks away from BMC, wouldn\u2019t allow them to take their belongings & threw them away! \n\n\u201cTHEY DIDN\u2019T LET HIM TAKE HIS POSSESSIONS. THEY THREW THE STUFF THAT HE JUST BOUGHT IN THE DUMPSTER TRUCK AND CRUSHED IT.\u201d \n\n#OperationCleanSweep\u201d— Cassie Hurd (@Cassie Hurd) 1565139878
One of the destroyed wheelchairs was reportedly confiscated from a man named Jarrod who was hit by a car last month.
"It was heartbreaking to speak with Jarrod, who lost not only his wheelchair, but everything he owns that he keeps in his backpack," said homeless advocate Cassie Hurd.
\u201cThey just crushed three wheelchairs! \n\nIt was heartbreaking to speak with Jarrod, who lost not only his wheelchair, but everything he owns that he keeps in his backpack. He was hit by a car last Tuesday. @CityOfBoston @marty_walsh this is inhumane & cruel. #OperationCleanSweep\u201d— Cassie Hurd (@Cassie Hurd) 1565143228
Hurd told Boston Magazine that Jarrod's wheelchair was taken after he left it "for a minute" in spite of pleas from his partner to police.
"He is not able to be mobile without it, and not having a home, nowhere to sit, nowhere to go, and was having pain," said Hurd of Jarrod. "He couldn't really balance or walk."
A viral image of the wheelchairs being destroyed made its way across social media Wednesday, generating outrage.
The police behavior was "cartoon evil," tweeted media reporter Adam Johnson, who also noted the largely unmentioned historical significance of the operation.
"Mass removing homeless people (e.g. human beings) and calling it 'operation clean sweep' (the obvious implication being said human beings are trash) is genocidal rhetoric and it's disturbing no one in Boston government or media feels the need to point this out," said Johnson.
Journalist Miles Howard questioned whether the images would have any effect on the future of the operation.
"The questions at the heart of #OperationCleanSweep are whether there's dignity in being human (I believe there is) and whether government should honor that intrinsic dignity (I believe it should)," tweeted Howard. "[Boston Mayor Marty Walsh] has chosen to treat the homeless as subhuman trash. What do you think?"
Court Watch Massachusetts appealed to the better nature of Bostonians.
"Can we all agree that it is inhumane and cruel and a waste of resources to crush the wheelchairs of people who are living on the street after a car accident in a full body cast?" the group tweeted.
Police in Boston Tuesday night reportedly destroyed three wheelchairs belonging to homeless city residents in a garbage truck compactor as part of a crackdown targeting the city's transient population.
"Operation Clean Sweep" began August 2 after a county corrections officer was allegedly struck during a fight involving a number of people on "Methadone Mile," a stretch of the city near Massachusetts Ave. and Melnea Cass Boulevard where there are a number of clinics and treatment centers. The area has a high homeless population, many of whom have been the target of the operation in the five days and counting it has continued.
The destruction of the wheelchairs is only the latest incident involving the trashing of the possessions of homeless people in the operation.
\u201cCops ordered folks away from BMC, wouldn\u2019t allow them to take their belongings & threw them away! \n\n\u201cTHEY DIDN\u2019T LET HIM TAKE HIS POSSESSIONS. THEY THREW THE STUFF THAT HE JUST BOUGHT IN THE DUMPSTER TRUCK AND CRUSHED IT.\u201d \n\n#OperationCleanSweep\u201d— Cassie Hurd (@Cassie Hurd) 1565139878
One of the destroyed wheelchairs was reportedly confiscated from a man named Jarrod who was hit by a car last month.
"It was heartbreaking to speak with Jarrod, who lost not only his wheelchair, but everything he owns that he keeps in his backpack," said homeless advocate Cassie Hurd.
\u201cThey just crushed three wheelchairs! \n\nIt was heartbreaking to speak with Jarrod, who lost not only his wheelchair, but everything he owns that he keeps in his backpack. He was hit by a car last Tuesday. @CityOfBoston @marty_walsh this is inhumane & cruel. #OperationCleanSweep\u201d— Cassie Hurd (@Cassie Hurd) 1565143228
Hurd told Boston Magazine that Jarrod's wheelchair was taken after he left it "for a minute" in spite of pleas from his partner to police.
"He is not able to be mobile without it, and not having a home, nowhere to sit, nowhere to go, and was having pain," said Hurd of Jarrod. "He couldn't really balance or walk."
A viral image of the wheelchairs being destroyed made its way across social media Wednesday, generating outrage.
The police behavior was "cartoon evil," tweeted media reporter Adam Johnson, who also noted the largely unmentioned historical significance of the operation.
"Mass removing homeless people (e.g. human beings) and calling it 'operation clean sweep' (the obvious implication being said human beings are trash) is genocidal rhetoric and it's disturbing no one in Boston government or media feels the need to point this out," said Johnson.
Journalist Miles Howard questioned whether the images would have any effect on the future of the operation.
"The questions at the heart of #OperationCleanSweep are whether there's dignity in being human (I believe there is) and whether government should honor that intrinsic dignity (I believe it should)," tweeted Howard. "[Boston Mayor Marty Walsh] has chosen to treat the homeless as subhuman trash. What do you think?"
Court Watch Massachusetts appealed to the better nature of Bostonians.
"Can we all agree that it is inhumane and cruel and a waste of resources to crush the wheelchairs of people who are living on the street after a car accident in a full body cast?" the group tweeted.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.