BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A group of homeless people were asked to leave a vacant church because the City of Brunswick said it was not up to code.
Reverend Zack Lyde and Dr. Leonard Small said they are protecting people.
Last week, the City of Brunswick closed 'The Well,' a daytime shelter located in the downtown area, for 65 days. There were reports of violence involving people who are homeless. In the most recent event, Troy Rogers III, a 52-year-old homeless man, was charged with rape and child molestation.
To combat homelessness, Lyde and Small were offering the vacant church on Gordon and G street as a temporary solution. The facility was initially used for storage. City officials gave them until 3 p.m. Tuesday to make sure the place is up to code. For hours, the homeless community and volunteers from the local community worked together to clean up the church and fix the issues as soon as possible.
Small argued what they're doing is protected under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. A church can be anywhere if the city does not have a compelling reason why it cannot be there, Small said.
At first, Small and Lyde blocked the front entrance to the church, preventing city officials and police from going inside. Small told Brunswick's police chief that he'll have to arrest him if they wanted access to the church. Tensions were high while a crowd started to grow. Police, however, managed to get inside from a side entrance. After the inspection, Small was told that exit doors were not labeled, the property experienced flooding and the conditions were not safe for any occupancy.
The small homeless community had to leave the church along with their items, including all the food and water people donated to them. Small described the situation as bullying.
"This is callous. This is what's happened to second class citizens who aren't supposed to be second class citizens," Small said. "These people deserve our care. It is my Christian duty if it all possible to help relieve their sufferings."
Crews had to board up the church. Regina McDuffie, said the conditions inside the church were not safe for people. She sent First Coast News a statement.
"The Well was a day shelter, it did not provide overnight shelter. Sheltering at night was already limited. Resources are being provided through local nonprofit agencies to assist and triage persons who are willing to accept assistance. Information was passed out during today's situation...despite the difficult situation, the City staff did a tremendous job in properly executing their duties. Hats off to the Police Department, Code Enforcement and City Public Works. Also, thanks to the Sheriff and the County for their support."
People who are homeless in Brunswick kept asking 'where else can we go?' The only day shelter in Brunswick, as of now, is its local Salvation Army.