Community organizer Justin Allen has filed a lawsuit against the City of Albuquerque, alleging retaliation after he stood up for the rights of unhoused individuals. Allen claims that city employees retaliated against him for advising unhoused neighbors that the city had no authority to move them or confiscate their belongings.
"The people living on the public sidewalk in the International District were only there because they had no other place to go, and they weren’t bothering anybody," Allen stated. He further criticized the actions of police and waste workers, asserting that "intimidation and harassment" were used unlawfully to remove individuals and their possessions.
The incident occurred on February 13, 2024, when Allen intervened as Albuquerque Police Department officers and Solid Waste workers attempted to clear a sidewalk in the International District where several unhoused people resided. At that time, a preliminary injunction was in place preventing such actions by the city without due process.
During this confrontation, some city employees reportedly yelled at Allen to "take them [unhoused people] to your house" and noted his license plate number. Subsequently, a worker allegedly read out Allen's home address to those present, suggesting they would be "safe" there.
Kristin Greer Love from ACLU of New Mexico emphasized that aggressive measures like clearing homeless encampments put lives at risk. She stated, "All New Mexicans have the right to speak freely without fear of retaliation by the city—including Mr. Allen."
The issue is compounded by rising rent costs in Albuquerque. According to the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee, rent for a one-bedroom apartment increased nearly 40% between 2017 and 2023.
Nicholas Mattison from ACLU of New Mexico remarked on Allen's situation: "Mr. Allen was exercising his constitutionally protected speech rights... It was not an invitation for strangers to obtain his home address." He added that Allen has experienced emotional distress following these events.
A copy of the complaint is available below.
