Don't encourage them.

So, this is still happening? I guess I can see why, it's proven so effective.

getting the right to sleeping bags, basic needs and tarps is not only constitutional and moral, but it prevents genocide. think about what would happen to you if you were kicked awake because the shelters are full and you had to sleep on a curb. night after night. we just want everyone to have their fundamental right to life. that means that you have to look the problem in the eye and recognize city hall has failed to meet the challenge of dealing with safe shelter, so while we work on that, don't wake people up, make them sleep in rain and cold without protection. have a heart. what we have at city hall is a chance for you to come during the day and learn people's stories- and integrate ourselves to one group which is concerned residents of portland. everyone out there for some reason or another isn't in a shelter. they might be full, they might have dangers, or in some cases, people are choosing to give up a potential bed because someone less hardy can't. so come light a candle. lets win what should never be taken away from any human being (and is in the declaration of human rights of the UN, every moral belief out there, and our Constitution) that people have a right to life- which includes safe sleep. because maybe its not just that people are becoming homeless faster. maybe our policies make it a pit you can't get out of. for the person who said don't encourage them, i hope to god you are not believing in some ethical, religious or moral creed that you would deny people a right to protest by sleeping in front of city hall where they can be seen and there's not even any businesses, where cops and security make it safe, and where people take care of each other. the candle is there for you both to come and light. maybe you could open your hearts and just care about people. you don't have to like every protester- we come and go. its the living vigil you can add your positive energy to. its between you and the candle. come by. but don't support genocide. people don't just end up okay after becoming homeless through some horrible circumstance and not being able to recover from a simple cough, or perhaps being mugged, raped, turning to alcohol to be warm and sleep. they eventually die. and no one is checking that. 2500 people on the sidewalks every night. what is wrong with our city? one heart at a time, fix it.

Wonderful article about the vigil. Thanks. I was heartened when I read an interview of a woman who worked in City Hall said about the vigil in the Oregonian. Here's the quote:

You might think being on the front lines of frustration, fear and anger would build up Barr's emotional immune system, but not so. It's made her care more, she says. "I feel like we don't have a way to help everybody. People who can't take of themselves. We are helpers -- but it's gotten worse."

She pauses to wipe away tears.

"Sometimes we have to step over sleeping bodies to get to work. Some sleep outside City Hall every night. It's appropriate that government witnesses their lives, as opposed to under a bridge, because it's easy to pretend it's not happening. This job sensitizes you to human suffering. Social service agencies are overwhelmed now, but I'm glad I'm able to do something. This is my job."

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf…

I'm so glad to see this in your comment S.Rose. Thank you for sharing it. I wonder if anyone would ever have known. Now We'll make sure everyone out there does. Lovely. <3

Marynichols1- I think the work you do is very important. However, while we do have the right to life, how we live that life is our own responsibility. This city offers some of the best social services for the homeless on the west coast. Portland gives and gives yet more and more we are told we are not doing enough. Surely you have seen what the situation in Seattle is like, where it is damn near a felony to sleep on the street. Is anything being done for them on your behalf? Also, as citizens we enjoy many Constitutional rights and protections but i'm pretty sure that camping equipment is not one of them.

Well said Iceprez.

"she pauses to wipe away tears"....?

Oh, I think I'm gonna puke now.