By Brittany Chain,Editor

Copyright dailymail

A Minneapolis businessman who allowed homeless people to set up an encampment on his property has been hit with a restraining order as the city demands he take action against the set up.

Hamoudi Sabri argued his priority is ensuring the ‘the dignity and safety of our unhoused neighbors’ as he railed against the court order.

The businessman, who owns a commercial parking lot near East Lake Street, has been ordered to ban homeless encampments on any property he owns while the dispute plays out in court.

But Sabri insisted the city is not acting in good faith, and is instead trying to bury the issue until the mayoral election on November 4.

‘This is just like using the system, using the court, using my power to see — and how can I do until this election is over?’ he said.

‘It’s very obvious, you know, why wouldn’t we work it out now?’

He said he had tried to reach a resolution with the city, but had instead been issued the temporary restraining order, and fears city officials are trying to politicize the wellbeing of homeless constituents.

‘What am I doing? I’m just helping homeless and I’m helping the city to get stability and safety. That’s all I’m about,’ Sabri said.

But Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey insisted the judge made ‘the right call.’

‘Encampments are not safe — not for residents, neighbors, or surrounding businesses,’ Frey said.

‘Once services and shelter are offered, encampments must be closed. This ruling allows us to do exactly that and move people toward safer, more stable housing.’

Frey said the priority must be finding stable housing for people experiencing homelessness.

He added the city has been working to clean up the encampment for months and get people in suitable housing, but has faced pushback from the crowd.

Sabri had been issued almost a dozen public health notices over the drug paraphernalia, debris and lack of sanitation in the area and fined more than $15,000.

The Minneapolis City Council had voted to take legal action against Sabri after he ignored an order to clear out the lot by August 25.

Then on September 15, a mass shooting at the encampment sprung authorities into further action.

Seven people were shot and one woman died following the tragic shooting.

Estimates indicate as many as 75 people were living on the property, but that dropped to around 30 after the shooting.

According to Regulatory Services Director Enrique Velazquez, all but one of the people on the encampment denied offers to be provided better shelter.

The encampment has now been moved along, and appears to have been set up at a location nearby, but authorities suggested Sabri would reopen his property to the group.

Sabri argues moving along homeless people doesn’t solve issues for the community, but instead forces them into more dangerous environments.

He intends to file a motion urging the judge to reconsider the temporary restraining order.