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West Virginia City Criticized for Plans to Clear Encampment

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WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia city has responded to a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union that raised concerns with plans to clear a homeless encampment.

The Wheeling City Manager said Monday that officials were reviewing the concerns, but didn’t say whether they would be addressed.

The Intelligencer reports Wheeling began removing informal living setups erected in a section of city-owned property last week after receiving numerous criminal complaints.

The ACLU chapter asked officials to stop dismantling the encampments and instead establish housing for the homeless individuals. The organization said clearing the camp goes against a statewide shelter-in-place order meant to protect against the spread of the coronavirus.