A Minneapolis City Council Committee meeting ended in chaotic fashion on Wednesday after council members Jason Chavez and LaTrisha Vetaw got into a shouting match and community members amid a discussion about homeless encampments.
Vetaw, who is not a member of the Public Health and Safety Committee but was formerly the chairperson, was sitting in on the meeting Wednesday before clashing with chairperson Chavez towards the end of proceedings.
The meeting was held with activists and community members in attendance regarding the recent city-led removal of the Camp Nenookaasi homeless encampment on Tuesday, as well as discussion of how the city goes about addressing homeless encampments in general.
The Ward 4 councilwoman took aim at the drug abuse that’s associated with the encampments and how she has spoken with residents, saying “they didn’t feel represented” when City Hall meetings were held regarding the encampments.
“I was happy to hear [Chairman Jason Chavez] say that, you know, we don’t need to pit people against each other and that we should work on this together. I like that that’s the direction we’re going in,” Vetaw said.