Posted by
Katy Grimes on Friday, April 17, 2009 5:37:20 PM
I just received this "Rally" notice from Loaves & Fishes. Rally's are for pep squads and football teams in high school. Is this a protest or a shakedown?
I am wondering several things:
1) why do they call the homeless their "guests?" Is Loaves & Fishes running a Bed & Breakfast Inn?
2) what are they angling for besides more government grants? A side dish of guilt? No, they just want money.
3) why is it Sacramento's responsibility to provide a "safe and legal place to camp?" These are not campers or guests - they are people who live outdoors and refuse to work.
Because so many "homeless shelters" and food closets have popped up, they actually encourage the perpetual vagabond, instead of those who are truly down on their luck. They prop up and support people who refuse to work and extort money from local governments to do so. I'd rather give money to the Union Gospel Mission, a private charity that takes no government money, but requires their participants to give back and be accountable. What a concept. You can't give away dignity, respect and self-esteem and expect the "guests" to take care of themselves.
“Safe Ground” Rally at the California State Capitol
Sacramento’s Tent City Closed Down by Authorities
Why Hasn’t Sacramento Provided a Safe and Legal Place to Camp?
“Sacramento's homeless problem is bad and getting worse. As it does, so will the number and size of illegal campgrounds. And so will the cruel, expensive and fruitless practice of chasing homeless people from one illegal campsite to another .Given the magnitude of the problem, it makes sense to consider establishing a tent city … tolerated by authorities, governed by the homeless themselves and presided over by charities that serve homeless people.”
– Sacramento Bee Editorial
What: Scores of homeless men, women and children and their supporters, led by SHOC, the Sacramento Homeless Organizing Committee, will gather on the South Steps of the California State Capitol to demand that the City and County of Sacramento open a legal campground. They are tired of being rousted from one spot to another. Last week, Sacramento’s Tent City was closed down by authorities in a matter of days. The campers’ request for “Safe Ground,” a legal, safe, sanitary campground has been ignored.
Roman Catholic Bishop Jaime Soto will open with a prayer for the homeless and elected leaders.
Why: As a result of tent city’s high profile and our advocacy efforts, the city, county and state have raised 1.3 million dollars to help homeless people. However, on any given night, 2,800 people are homeless in Sacramento. The number of homeless people has risen by 14% in just two years. St. John’s Shelter for Women and Children is turning away over 200 women and children every night for lack of space. Why would we arrest people who have nowhere to go? Shouldn’t the city spend its money on housing for people rather than on jails? Criminalizing homelessness is unjust and solves nothing.
Homeless advocates from Fresno, San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco will testify that Sacramento’s situation is mirrored across California.
Supporters include SHOC, Loaves & Fishes, Francis House, the National Coalition for the Homeless, the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – West Midwest Community, the Sacramento Housing Alliance and multi-platinum home town band, Papa Roach. Although out of town on tour, Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach says, “We’re proud to be working with Loaves & Fishes to help the homeless in Sacramento. Americans are going through a hard time now and we want to give back not only with our music but by donating necessities such as water, food, and sleeping bags to those in need. We hope to inspire others to go out and do something to help in their own communities."
When: 2 PM Tuesday, April 21
Where: South Steps, California State Capitol, 11th and N Streets, Sacramento, 95814
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Help those who help themselves.