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Absolute bullshittery today at Euston Station.
I was volunteering with @streetskitchen this morning, where we give out breakfasts, drinks, masks, and sometimes also socks, toiletries, etc to rough sleepers, but tbh anyone who wants it. Solidarity, not charity.
(THREAD)
I was volunteering with @streetskitchen this morning, where we give out breakfasts, drinks, masks, and sometimes also socks, toiletries, etc to rough sleepers, but tbh anyone who wants it. Solidarity, not charity.
(THREAD)
While chatting to a guy and offering him some food, we suddenly found ourselves surrounded by three private security guards.
I gave them a thumbs up and said "we're good! we're safe!" but they didn't leave.
I gave them a thumbs up and said "we're good! we're safe!" but they didn't leave.
After the gentleman we were chatting with left, they approached us and said "in future, you're going to need to go to the station manager's office to get a permit before doing this"
Um??? Why would we need a permit, we ask?
Um??? Why would we need a permit, we ask?
He explains anyone who comes to do commerce or "soliciting" (an actual word he used) - we interrupted and said the food was free - he said 'well, whatever, you just need a permit'.
On what grounds? We're giving free food+drink out to people who need it, not leafleting or w/ever
On what grounds? We're giving free food+drink out to people who need it, not leafleting or w/ever
He said that the "vagrants aren't supposed to be here".
"People, you mean?" I tell him.
He rolls his eyes and said "I know!"
"People, you mean?" I tell him.
He rolls his eyes and said "I know!"
He reiterated and said we needed a permit from the station manager. We said we will speak to our lawyers and see if that's actually the case.
My fellow volunteer and I were shaking with rage. To be actively discouraged like this by Euston staff from making sure people don't go hungry! To make sure people start their day with a friendly face and a smile. How can you so lack compassion?
We did a little dance outside the station to shake out the rage, lift our spirits and put smiles back on our faces.
Someone I spoke to about it said "maybe they just don't want you to encourage them". Oh yes, people shouldn't be encouraged to eat and not be lonely (end sarcasm)
People hang around stations all the time! Stations are literally built with this in mind!! But clearly, only the "right kind of person" is allowed to hang around the station.
I have on a number of occasions gone to Euston to eat my packed lunch and never once been kicked out.
I have on a number of occasions gone to Euston to eat my packed lunch and never once been kicked out.
Deep breath. Thread over.
Tagging @NewJournal
Oh! I forgot to add: He said that we needed a permit to make sure no one bothers us while we work. We replied that the only people bothering us are you.
Tagging @NetworkRailEUS for a response
