A fascinating entry on the Stranger’s excellent blog this afternoon by reporter Erica C.Barnett, about homeless sweeps being done in Seattle. Barnett writes:
The controversy over the sweeps, which the Times story breezes past in five short sentences consisting of an obligatory quote from a single homeless advocate, isn’t just about the fact that there aren’t enough shelter beds to meet demand, or the fact that wealthy neighbors don’t like their greenbelts being trashed by homeless people. The raids on encampments represent a violation of homeless people’s most fundamental human rights—the right to have a place to sleep, to not be subject to unjustified search and seizure of your property, to not be told to “move along” when you have no place else to go.
Perhaps someone should organize a protest at city hall—ah, they are! Since the homeless protest was met with a stonewall response here in Portland, I’ve changed my attitude to city politics. I realized the mayor’s office doesn’t care about human rights issues, and I realized I don’t care any more about the mayor. I don’t expect things to improve with the new one, either.
Depressing.
Sam Adams policy people say they have an excellent working relationship with you Matt, but I’ve got a feeling things are going to get much worse for Portland’s homeless under Sam Adams administration. When he was Vera Katz Chief of staff it was like pulling teeth just to get meetings with her.
Sam doesn’t have a very good public involvement history. I don’t think he will change his tactics much in the near future.
Adams supports the camping ordinance. He supports the sit/lie ordinance. He has done nothing to intervene with Portland’s Private Police. He wants to promote Portland as a livable city, to people outside.
THIS ALL SPELLS DISASTER FOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF THE HOMELESS.
You whinging pommy prat, what are YOU going to do?
Homeless people do have a fundamental right to sleep somewhere…somewhere like…the Portland Mercury office? That sounds fair to me. You guys are such great advocates for the homeless, you should let them sleep in your office…and your homes, too. Now that would be justice.
Yes. Although would it be original, some guy? As a comeback, I mean?
I know you are but what am I?
Your mum.
FAIL.
Back to cat pictures, please.
I wonder what’s more of a sidewalk obstruction – homeless people sitting on the sidewalk, or Greg Goodman’s City Center Parking putting unlicensed signs on the sidewalk?
Let’s see – street bum with no connections – gets told to move by the cops. Goodman’s company, with tons of connections – nothing.