RE: Second class citizens, how america's homeless are criminalized.
Finally! A state that is willing to step up and address this urgent issue. It's about time! Thanks for posting about this. It was alarming to see an increase in the number of places that were criminalizing homelessness. There was a guy in San Diego who actually got a ticket for feeding a homeless guy, and a couple of years ago, there was a pastor in North Carolina who was actually jailed for feeding the homeless in a public park. His church would get together once a week, and bring food to a local park where the homeless were known to gather. I mean, what kind of society are we, when people are arrested for providing a basic necessity of life to a starving human being?
I read the text of the bill, thanks for including the link. It is a very comprehensive bill, allowing for several forms of reparation for homeless persons, as well as restoring their civil rights.
It is a sad day when we have to make laws to RESTORE someone's rights, rights that are guaranteed to us as United States citizens, under the Constitution.
Oregon is to be commended for their action. Please keep us updated on the progression of this bill. I do hope other states will soon follow suit. America is only as strong as its weakest citizen.
For the past couple of years this bill has died in committee, it is likely to happen again.
The legislature here is only interested in serving those who are greasing palms.
Really? It died in committee? wow Do you have private prisons in Oregon? I ask, because here in Oklahoma we do, and they have quotas. The state has to pay a penalty when they fall below a certain occupancy. It's moronic, and criminal, in and of itself. I guess people are starting to ask questions, like, "With all this surveillance, why is there still crime?"
They need to invent a new kind of crime that people can't do anything about. It's hella hard to pull yourself out of homelessness. It's all about the money, you are so right. And yet, some people seem to have plenty of it. ;)
In the usa rights have been for those select few who own property, it's the basis of rights in the constitution.
Even now owning land is the basis for rights.