Advocates protest end of SC homeless camp site

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — Homeless people and their advocates are criticizing a decision to evict people from a local camp site ahead of the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon.

Dozens of people protested the decision, carrying homemade signs after Horry County police told them they had to move on the day before Saturday’s race.

Protesters questioned the timing of the eviction, but Sgt. Robert Kegler says the order to move had nothing to do with the marathon.

Kegler says there have been plans for weeks to move the homeless from the camp site along Robert Grissom Parkway.

Advocates say the campers have no shelter or reliable transportation to leave the area.

Horry County authorities say they’re working to connect homeless people from the camp with agencies that can help.