Homeless Camp Near Big Tourist Spot Remains Despite Mamdani Deadline
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani campaigned in 2025 on a platform that included expanding public services and reducing the cost of living for residents.
As his administration has begun implementing those policies, critics argue that delivering on many of those campaign promises has proven more difficult than expected.
One of the most visible challenges has been a large homeless encampment stretching across several blocks on Manhattan’s West Side. Despite Mamdani’s stated seven-day timeline for addressing the encampment, much of it remained in place after the deadline expired.
One resident of the encampment, Liam, 40, told the New York Post that he appreciated the mayor’s approach.
“[Mamdani] has more of the human aspect,” Liam said. “He’s taking into account people, not just clumping everyone together.”
He added, “I feel like he’s saying, ‘Would I be happy with this if it’s me on the street?'”
According to The Post, City Hall did not respond to questions about the status of the cleanup.
Reporters visiting the area on Monday found that much of the encampment, extending from West 34th Street to at least West 49th Street, remained intact. Only a handful of makeshift structures had been removed, including one near the Intrepid Museum.
Sanitation workers and police officers were seen clearing portions of the area, but the cleanup appeared to be progressing gradually.
The pace of the effort contrasts with Mamdani’s stated policy of allowing homeless outreach teams and social service workers seven days to encourage individuals living in sidewalk encampments to relocate before the New York Police Department begins enforcement.
The seven-day deadline expired Monday with only limited enforcement activity taking place.
Sanitation crews were observed loading clothing, mattresses, and other belongings into garbage trucks while police monitored the operation.
Some people living in the encampment said their possessions had been removed, but numerous tents and makeshift shelters remained near West 44th, 47th, and 49th streets between 11th and 12th avenues.
Earlier this month, The Post reported allegations of drug activity, prostitution, and the storage of suspected stolen merchandise within parts of the encampment.
Local residents and business owners have complained that the garbage-strewn camps have created safety and quality-of-life concerns for both the surrounding neighborhood and tourists.
Critics have also argued that the NYPD was initially limited in its ability to intervene because of the administration’s approach to homeless encampments.
Last week, Mamdani said the city would take action to address the encampments but did not provide a specific timetable for completing the effort.
Separately, reports earlier this month said the U.S. State Department blocked a planned meeting between a senior official in the Mamdani administration and Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations.
According to those reports, Ana María Archila, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, had been scheduled to meet with Iran’s U.N. ambassador, Amir-Saeid Iravani, before the meeting was canceled.
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
