As the final match of the World Cup draws near, alarming issues regarding the treatment of homeless individuals in host cities are coming to light, particularly in Atlanta. Residents from this vulnerable community express that their presence is being systematically eliminated to foster a more tourist-friendly atmosphere. One individual lamented, “A lot of our community has been pushed out by the World Cup. We’re not just dollar signs, we’re more than that. We’re people and we’re frustrated that they’ve chosen to treat us less than human.”
Another homeless man shared his unsettling experience of being forcibly relocated in the early hours, stating, “They dropped me off there in the middle of the night. They call them Mormon centres or whatever, but it ain’t nothing but a warehouse of cops. It looked like a Fema camp. When I saw it, I left, I walked all the way back here. It’s because of the World Cup. They’re trying to make it look good for tourists. They don’t want the eyesores around.”
On the same day that FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended a funeral in Qatar, Donald Trump was at his golf resort in Virginia, showcasing wealth and exclusivity. Meanwhile, city officials in Atlanta undertook a surprise clearance operation at Freedom Park, removing tents and belongings of homeless individuals situated less than a mile from a World Cup fan zone. This operation was described as “We want to make sure those unsheltered individuals don’t come anywhere near downtown and throughout the city of Atlanta, not just during the World Cup but now,” despite the lack of prior notification to those impacted.
City Policies and the World Cup
Andre Dickens, the mayor of Atlanta, has openly discussed the city’s approach during the World Cup, stating, “You should not have to cross the street in downtown Atlanta to avoid a crazy person yelling at your family,” This echoes the Trump administration’s perspective, which often discourages visible displays of homelessness.
In anticipation of the tournament, Atlanta launched the Downtown Rising initiative, claiming to have relocated 500 individuals experiencing homelessness. However, the methods used in this initiative have raised serious concerns regarding the treatment of those displaced. The tragic incident involving Cornelius Taylor, who lost his life during a street clearance, underscores the potential dangers associated with such actions. His death led to promises of improved protocols, yet doubts linger about their actual effectiveness.
Uncertain Outcomes for the Displaced
At the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation in Fulton County, staff have observed a reduction in the visible homeless population during the World Cup, but their whereabouts remain unclear. One care worker mentioned, “I haven’t seen evidence of what has occurred, but we do know the people are gone. So where did they go? A lot of those people definitely wanted to be where they were within that vicinity. And I don’t know where they were taken. So they could have been displaced well away.”
The absence of an official rehousing center during the World Cup raises further concerns. Sirius, a homeless man visiting a community center near hotel accommodations, recounted his own experience of being moved to a far-off location, expressing dissatisfaction with the treatment he and others have received. He noted, “They dropped me off there in the middle of the night. They call them Mormon centres or whatever, but it ain’t nothing but a warehouse of cops. It looked like a Fema (Federal Emergency Management Agency) camp. When I saw it, I left. I walked all the way back here. It’s because of the World Cup. They’re trying to make it look good for tourists. “They used to just drop you off in the middle of the street over there by Pryor Road, across from Gateway. Now they take you all the way up to Metropolitan on the far outskirts.”
Drayvon Clark, another homeless individual, articulated the widespread frustration, stating, “We feel like a lot of our community has been pushed out. We’re not just dollar signs, we’re more than that. We’re people and we’re frustrated with the fact that they’ve chosen to treat us less than human in a lot of the areas because of making money. “Not saying that we don’t love soccer, we do love soccer, but it is traumatic. They went and got third-party park rangers, other organisations to try to push out people, our people. It doesn’t matter, black, white, even homeless. And we just want to get our voice heard.”
He further elaborated, “This country is bred that way,”
The Broader Issue of Homelessness
Homelessness remains a pressing issue across the United States, with official estimates suggesting that at least 770,000 individuals lack stable housing. Over the past two years, various laws have been enacted that criminalize sleeping outdoors or lingering in public spaces, with the World Cup exacerbating these measures in host cities.
Historical trends show that major sporting events often lead to heightened scrutiny and displacement of the homeless. During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, thousands were confined to makeshift detention facilities, and similar actions are anticipated for upcoming events. For example, Paris has announced plans to relocate its homeless population ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
In various host cities, initiatives have sprung up to address homelessness during the World Cup. In Los Angeles, homeless individuals have been moved into reserved motels, while Dallas has cleared an encampment near city hall. Despite promises from leaders like Seattle’s mayor to create more housing, the results have frequently fallen short.
These measures sharply contrast with the celebratory image that FIFA promotes, which suggests that football brings the world together. In reality, the World Cup serves as a stark reminder of the divisions within society and the ongoing neglect of vulnerable populations.
Sirius offered his thoughts on the societal implications, stating, “We’re a war country. That’s what we do. All the people here are indoctrinated from their youth to be very aggressive, to be numb to it. It’s intentional. America is hard. Actual rights have been turned to paying privileges. “I’m going to be honest. Black people in Atlanta don’t play football. So when you invited the world here, you invited the world to participate in a sport that these people are not even included in. “The thing about this sport is it makes so much money, but we don’t. Are we going to unite the world? Are we going to fix the city? Until they level the playing ground and we can produce more soccer moms in my community, it’s going to be that way. It has nothing to do with us. We’re the only people that’s excluded from it.”
He added, “They always bring a big event that everybody’s blinded by,”
Ultimately, these circumstances highlight the harsh realities faced by many in America, particularly in the context of grand sporting events. The World Cup, often viewed as a celebration, also underscores the ongoing struggles and systemic issues that continue to afflict society.
“You’ve seen Gladiator, it’s like the Games. That’s what it’s for. It’s a distraction. They treat us like trash and trampled over us. But that’s America for you, isn’t it? They’ve got to reckon with heaven and hell at the end of it. God bless America.” Sirius concluded. “You’ve seen Gladiator; it’s like the Games. That’s what it’s for. It’s a distraction. They treat us like trash and trample over us. But that’s America for you, isn’t it? They’ve got to reckon with heaven and hell at the end of it. God bless America.”
