An encampment sweep in Berkeley Wednesday left dozens of unhoused people frustrated and scrambling to find another place to sleep. Many said it came without warning.

Unhoused residents living at the encampment at Eighth and Harrison streets claimed they were woken up by police yelling and using some kind of smoke at 6 a.m., forcing them to leave the area.

“I feel like they’re forcing me to make my burden the public’s burden,” said Michael, an unhoused resident at the encampment. “Where am I supposed to go hold my burden at now?”

Michael was one of about 40 people living at the multi-block encampment. He claimed police only allowed him to take some of his things and confiscated his tent without providing a reason.

“I have a $400 tent,” he said. “I’m allowed to take my belongings away, b

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