On Monday, the California Homeless Union, along with locals in support, protested in front of the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico in response to the shelter closing on Jan. 31.

“We actually had an agreement with some of the Red Cross officials so we could have access and they we reneged on that agreement,” said Anthony D. Prince the General Counsel Union Attorney of the California Homeless Union. “We got people out here protesting the fact the county is going to terminate the lease.”

Gallery // 6 Photos

All sorts of signs were made to be handed out to protesters of the apparent segregation of the homeless at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds on Monday. Photo credit: Christian Solis

Prince also mentioned that there were conflicting reports from the media regarding the shelter closing date, and that they had reports of people feeling like they are being treated like criminals.

“Our civil rights and their civil rights have been violated,” said Raelynn Butcher, one of the leaders of the Marysville local union. “We are here today to demonstrate, a non-violent demonstration of course on their civil rights being violated for no place to go.”

A spokesperson for Red Cross said that two groups were given 48 hours to leave the fairgrounds which expired yesterday-Those whose needs had been met, and those who were not meeting with workers. “It’s hard provide resources if we can’t…talk about your needs” @theorion_news pic.twitter.com/aWrMq8JU78

— Josh Cozine (@joshcozine) January 29, 2019

Anthony D Prince with the California Homeless Union discussed the ambiguity of different deadlines for for clearing the fairgrounds. @theorion_news pic.twitter.com/stWIN6rZlJ

— Josh Cozine (@joshcozine) January 29, 2019

The protesters stood in front of the fairgrounds across the street. They later moved in to rally on the other side of the street where the fairgrounds are.

“What we’ve been doing all along, ever since the shelter has been open, we have caseworkers that meet with everybody who is staying at the shelter,” said Stephen Walsh, a spokesperson for the Red Cross.

“There’s two populations that were given 48 hours notice to leave and that expired yesterday. One (population) is people that we met with who…we met all their needs that we discussed with them, and the other group is folks that we have been unable to meet with who aren’t sitting down at the table with caseworkers. ‘Cause it’s hard to provide services if we can’t sit down and talk about what your needs are.”

Julian Mendoza can be reached @[email protected] or on @JulianMTheOrion on Twitter