Valencia protest after shacks knocked down

It was reported to Newsday that at about 4.30 am, the LSA with police officers and soldiers went to the squatting area and advised occupants to remove their valuables from their homes. They then proceeded to demolish the structures with a backhoe

The residents became so enraged that at 7 am, they threw debris and even a tree across the Valencia main road commonly known as ‘the stretch’ and set it on fire. This action caused a traffic pile-up for several miles on both the east and west bound lanes of the main road. The residents claimed they were not given any notice to vacate the premises

However, LSA officials said they had sent two notices to them. The Valencia Police responded after receiving a report of the protest. The officers were on hand when firemen arrived to put out the flames and the debris was then cleared from the roadway to allow the free flow of traffic

No one was arrested