A bum's rush feared at MSG (Clear out homeless for Repub Convention) [View All]

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/203388p-175470c.html

With the Republican National Convention looming, the city is urging the homeless to clear the streets near Madison Square Garden, sources told the Daily News.

City officials insisted they will not physically remove the homeless, characterizing their plan as a voluntary "outreach effort" aimed at providing shelter options in advance of the convention.

But advocates and homeless services providers left a meeting with the Department of Homeless Services last month - where the plan was discussed - with the impression that the goal is to clear the homeless away.

"It was the sweep nature of it," said one source, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisals.

Another source compared it with "sweeping dirty dishes" out of sight.