Berkeley Homeless Continue to Protest

Homeless activists in Berkeley on Thursday continued their occupation of a house owned by UC Berkeley as university officials considered responses. A group of about 30 transients, non-student activists and students took over the previously vacant house four blocks from campus after a torchlight march Wednesday evening.

The demonstrators spray-painted the walls of the former student counseling center, empty since 1979, with such slogans as “Rent Is Robbery” and “Housing Is a Human Right.” UC Berkeley spokesman Ray Colvig said officials hope to persuade the protesters to leave in order to avoid a confrontation with police.