Pregnant Union Hall squatter gives birth

MARSHA EWING, the mother of four who defied NHA demolition crews and a tractor, which came to destroy her shack at Union Hall three weeks ago, gave birth to a healthy baby boy — her fifth child — last Saturday. What was supposed to be a joyful occasion for Ewing was however marred by nights filled with dread at the thought that anytime, the NHA crew would return to demolish her home, leaving the family, including her newborn son, Jonathan, without shelter. Ewing, a single parent, was into her ninth month of pregnancy when the demolition crews moved in and broke down over 50 houses, three weeks ago.

Her wooden shack was one of a few left standing after the demolition crew completed their task. Other families who were not so lucky, were forced to seek shelter at a nearby pavilion. Although not demolishing her home in the face of protests by Ewing and her neighbours, NHA officials had promised they would be back to finish the job. To date, they have not returned and the issue is now before the courts. While Ewing is grateful her house is still standing and she has shelter for her four girls, aged 14, 13, 10 and five, plus the newest addition to her family, she said she still lives in fear of what may happen to her in the near future.

Ewing said that after her baby was born, she received a visit from an official from the Prime Minister’s office, who she said came and took down the names of people whose homes were left standing, promising to have them relocated. But since that visit, she said, no one returned and there has been no word as to when and where the relocation process starts. Ewing said she became more concerned when she saw NHA officials driving around the area taking photos on Wednesday and yesterday. “I am eager to know what is going on,” she said. She then issued a message to NHA: “We know that we were squatting and it is illegal but we were not doing it because we wanted to, or because we are land grabbers...we were only doing it because we had no choice and desperately needed a place to live.”