The onetime Lakewood Tent City inhabitant who defied a township ordinance and returned to the woods will wait a little longer to learn whether his next abode has iron bars.

New Tent Enclave outskirts of Lakewood, by Tentcity.org
New Tent Enclave outskirts of Lakewood, by Tentcity.org
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Sources close to Alex Libman's case tell WOBM News that his municipal hearing was postponed, with no definitive reschedule date yet assigned. Libman had expected to hear today whether his actions would cost him jail time.

The razing of Tent City, a year's worth of housing or relocation of its dwellers on the township's dime, and the related ordinance grew from a long and often-emotional battle that drew on issues such as public safety, pollution, human rights, the role and placement of shelters, and the efficacy of programs designed to relieve homelessness.

In his current pursuit, Libman questions the designation of his squatting spot as public land, and  continually refers to the related ordinance as an anti-homeless measure.

In speeches to the Township Committee, he likened the effect to pogroms that drove his ancestors from Russia, and declared that he opted to stay in Lakewood in order to create his most compelling case for the politics of inclusion.

Ocean County government dedicates tens of millions of local and federal dollars annually to dozens of faith-based shelters, maintains agreements with motel owners for overnight stays, and offers a broad range of support programs through its social and human services divisions.

Members of the Tent City Movement openly seek contributions through a PayPal account, a post office box held by the Lakewood Outreach Ministry, and through a Facebook page.

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