‘The state is doing whatever it wants:’ Homeless advocate arrested while trying to block Oakland sweep

Early Wednesday, state law enforcement showed up to clear a homeless encampment on Caltrans land beneath Highway 580 in Oakland — only to find that they were blocked from entering: a woman had chained herself to the fence.

The woman was Andrea Henson — an attorney and executive director of the homeless advocacy organization Where Do We Go, who alleged that the sweep was an unlawful eviction. When Henson refused to unchain herself from the fence, California Highway Patrol arrested her.

“I don’t care how poor you are...