ACLU of Alaska files lawsuit against Anchorage municipality over raids at homeless camps

Alaska ACLU files lawsuit over homeless camp raids

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska has filed a lawsuit challenging raids conducted on homeless camps by the Municipality of Anchorage.

ACLU Executive Director Jeffrey Mittman says the lawsuit was filed Wednesday on behalf of Dale Engle and other homeless people who have had property destroyed in the raids.

The lawsuit asks that the city be stopped from carrying out its policy of giving homeless people as little as 12 hours notice to clean out their belongings.

It also asks the court to declare the seizure and destruction of the homeless residents’ personal belongings without affording any due process or obtaining a warrant as unconstitutional.

Municipal Attorney Dennis Wheeler did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.