LERVILLE. “Another evening on the cold asphalt. Perhaps there is still an unoccupied bench by the canal? You know, one of the few that don’t yet have spikes or bright lights mounted above them?”

These are the opening lines of a poem written by Elliot Thrum, 46, which he played on a gramophone during this week’s demonstrations.

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When the LUP took to the streets in what they called a “sweep march against criminals,” innocent beggars, homeless people, and even youths were harassed—without rhyme or reason. Just a couple of weeks ago, LUP launched its new initiative, “Clean Streets,” a campaign that seems more focused on sweeping Lerville’s problems under the rug than on actually solving them.

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Members of the Lerville Unity Party and its youth wing, Lerville Unity Young, have repeatedly marched through the city’s streets over the past month in these so-called “sweep marches,” targeting people they consider “problematic.” Among them are both homeless individuals and youths. The purpose is clear: to drive people away from these areas. Critics argue that this amounts to a blatant policy of harassment.

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Party leader Ian Wilkins himself commented on the sweep marches, calling them “a well-intentioned initiative by people who are tired of being spat on.” The statement has sparked strong criticism from the opposition.

In response, members of Lerville Youth, a local resistance movement, gathered to protest. They distributed soup, blankets, and coffee to those in need—an action they describe as “a peaceful protest.”

I personally spoke with one of the members, Sarah Verlin, who shared her view of the situation.

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I personally spoke with one of the members, Sarah Verlin, who shared her view of the situation.

What do you think is the reason these sweep marches are becoming more frequent?
“People are becoming afraid. LUP uses scare tactics to push its policies among people who have read far too much misleading news. It’s easy to unite people—if you first unite them against a common enemy.”

Do you believe there are better ways to address the problem?
“I don’t think the problem is what LUP seems to think it is. Instead of blaming homeless people for being homeless, we should help them out of their situation. How can one justify scaring them away as if they were pests rather than human beings?”

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How Wilkins and LUP’s strategy will develop remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the next election campaign is unlikely to pass without a media storm.

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