Sleepouts in Defiance of Santa Cruz Sleeping Ban
The “Freedom Sleepers” of Santa Cruz want city parks opened at night so people without homes will have a place to go where they are not targeted by police.
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Business Improvement Districts and ‘Broken Windows’
The broken windows theory of policing conceptualizes poor people as things to be removed and not people who are struggling to survive. In San Francisco, Business Improvement Districts utilize private security forces and city police to harass and banish homeless people from Union Square.
The Freedom Sleepers Demand Repeal of Camping Ban
“As a 1961 Freedom Rider, I served 39 days in the Mississippi penitentiary fighting discrimination. I and others will continue to resist discriminatory local ordinances which forbid individuals a place and opportunity to sleep. We call upon our City Council to find a way to alleviate homeless suffering.” — Rabbi Phil Posner
Right to Rest Advocates Converge on San Francisco
Advocates for the Right to Rest converged on San Francisco on July 31, 2015 to organize for the passage of a homeless bill of rights in California, Oregon and Colorado. The Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP) convened the actions and meetings with representation from San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Denver, Fort Collins, Portland, Eugene and other west coast cities. More photos and videos at: www.boonachepresents.com/
Protest Harassment of Poor and Homeless People in San Francisco – Defend our Right to Rest
Rally for our rights at the Powell Street BART station in San Francisco and march in protest to the Union Square Business Improvement District offices on Friday, July 31 at 3 pm.
Anti-Homeless Laws Push People Further into Poverty
San Francisco is notorious for its heavy reliance on police in responding to homelessness. It has taken the lead among California cities by enacting 23 laws that restrict where people can sit, lie or rest outdoors. From 2006 to 2014, San Francisco police issued 51,757 tickets for so-called “quality of life” offenses
Y-M-C-A: How Do You Spell Anti-Homeless Hypocrisy?
The Berkeley City Council was given the strong impression that not only the YMCA leadership, but the YMCA membership as well, supports new anti-homeless laws. Yet these laws are opposed by the ACLU, scores of religious leaders and civil rights groups as likely to be used in a discriminatory fashion.
Tenants at Berkeley's Redwood Gardens Demand Respect
“I heard the word ‘respect’ used so many times at this conference I still get goosebumps, because that has been one of the things that hurt me most that happened in this building,” said Eleanor Walden, a tenant at Redwood Gardens. “We were treated with distance, lack of respect.
Removal of Bus Shelter Harms East Oakland Residents
Many believe that the removal of the bus shelter and bench was a punishment against the community because homeless people sometimes use the bus shelter. Many elderly and disabled persons depend on the bench as a place to rest and keep their groceries safe while waiting for the next bus.
New Hope for Homeless Vehicle Dwellers in California
The last Homeless Census reported that people living in vehicles was one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless community. “Our research has shown a dramatic increase in the number of people whose primary residence is a motor home or RV,” said Peter Connery of Applied Survey Research.
Berkeley Report Justifies Police Attacks on Black Lives Matter
More weapons, more gadgets, more surveillance, and even helicopters are requested in the police report, “Response to Civil Unrest.” The police wish to continue militarizing police departments, as well as defending the violent response to the Black Lives Matter movement — as though legitimate protest in our society does not exist.
Berkeley City Council Delays Vote on Anti-Poor Laws
“These new laws are actually worse than I anticipated, particularly the one about obstructing the sidewalk,” said Osha Neumann. “You won’t be able to have any possessions larger than two feet square any time of the day or night. We should ask the councilmembers how big their beds are.”