Protesters from last week’s rally outside of city hall released a statement in response to allegations of threats lobbied by District 8 Alder MGR Govindarajan and District 5 Alder Regina Vidaver’s comments to the Isthmus.
Rallies have been organized to call for a reconsideration of demolishing the Dairy Drive city-sanctioned campsite that over 20 unhoused individuals call home while they seek more permanent housing arrangements. Protesters rallied Sept. 24, 26, 27 and 30 with continued calls for alders who voted to dismantle Dairy Drive to reconsider — which would only require one to change their vote. The most recent rally on October 1 brought around 40 protesters to City Hall during a special session on the planned Bartillion Shelter, slated for opening in Spring 2026. Plans for the shelter aim to have more capacity, and be a replacement from those now displaced from Dairy Drive.
After the meeting, protesters waited outside to call out alders on their way home. Alder Govindarajan stopped to talk and agreed on video that he has sent emails about a reconsideration and would file a motion to do so. However, the following day, Alder MGR released a statement stating that he agreed “under coercion.”…