Protestors try to block Fresno homeless cleanup

FRESNO, Calif.

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After a brief standoff with protesters, the city was able to start moving in workers and heavy equipment to start cleaning up the area.

Early Thursday morning, many of the people living in the encampment had not moved out of the area.

Dozens of protesters, many from the Occupy Fresno movement, organized an effort to stop the cleanup.

One homeless person Action News spoke with said she had no place to go.

"I'm not leaving. I don't have any place that is safe and secure, said Margaret Edmiston, "I have a place that's covered. I'm protected from the rain and the elements."

"We've got outreach teams that are here on the grounds," said Fresno Homeless Policy Director Greg Barfield, "We have city crews and CalTrans crews that are out here cleaning up the trash right now. You've got a few protesters and concerned citizens here too. We are trying to manage and triage everyone's desires right now. The crews will continue to do the trash pickups throughout the day."

The City of Fresno has offered temporary and transitional housing. It is unknown how many people have taken advantage of that offer.

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Stay with Action News and ABC30.com for more on this developing story.

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