By Katya Schwenk | Phoenix New Times
A group of protesters chanted as they marched to the front gates of Grand Canyon University, braving the sweltering heat, at times huddling in the shade.
“Save our homes!” one sign read. “Grand Canyon University is leaving families homeless,” was another.
Most of these protesters on Tuesday afternoon are residents of the Periwinkle Mobile Home Park, a small trailer setting right on the edge of Grand Canyon’s west Phoenix campus. In October, everyone in this community will be forced to leave their homes. As of now, the only compensation most will receive is $1,875, from a state fund for trailer relocations.
That was not enough, protesters said.
Grand Canyon University, despite its legal troubles and contested nonprofit status, has been working to expand its Phoenix campus. Its revenue, assisted by high online enrollment, has been going up. As a result, the university has, in the last several years, begun to buy up property. In 2016, GCU bought the Periwinkle trailer park.
