Updated:

“Im not ready to give up! A victory for homeless rights

By
1480
0

Latest

A homeless man sitting in the park is ticketed by a San Francisco cop. We must fight the rampant, petty criminalization of people abandoned by this economic system and demand that the government provide homes for people. PHOTO/NEIL FITZPATRICK
A homeless man sitting in the park is ticketed by a San Francisco cop. We must fight the rampant, petty criminalization of people abandoned by this economic system and demand that the government provide homes for people.
PHOTO/NEIL FITZPATRICK

Editor’s Note: Mike Zint, of ‘First they came for the homeless’ and the Berkeley Post Office Defense, spoke at a victory celebration there, where he has been the main organizer of a 24-hour vigil in defense of the commons and for homeless rights. Because of the ongoing campaign to save the historic old Post Office building from being sold to a real estate company owned by California Senator Dianne Feinstein’s billionaire husband, financier and former slumlord Richard Blum, a judge stopped the sale and slowed down the push to privatize. These words were transcribed from a video of Mike’s speech. [Sarah Menefee, for the People’s Tribune]
Berkeley, CA — What we have here is an occupation, a fight for the commons, a fight for homeless rights. We have a literature table, we have a free box, we have a community garden. Here in Berkeley a lot of things are happening with the homeless situation. The community is really upset about the development of the Berkeley area, they don’t want the big buildings and high rents, they don’t want the post office to be turned into a hotel. These are things the people are going to have to continue to fight.
People need to understand that Charlie, Karma Bear, me, Lilith have dedicated six months of our lives to maintaining this 24-hour occupation. We are not ready to break this vigil down yet because we have the right to exist. We have the right to shelter. Our species is the only one that denies shelter to members of its own species. If we don’t have these tents health issues pop up. I’m not ready to give up. I think this is a beautiful building. I think that it’s worth fighting for. I think the post office is worth fighting for.
The future is really not looking good in our country. Our government is taken over by corporations, lobbyists run everything. It’s money, profit before people, and we need to put the message out that paper is not more important than people. Berkeley has led the way in the fight to save the Post Office. There are other post offices in jeopardy. And you guys show the country that they can do what we’ve done. We can win this. Thank you.

+ Articles by this author

The People’s Tribune opens its pages to voices of the movement for change. Our articles are written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Articles entitled “From the Editors” reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement for change. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff. The People’s Tribune is a 501C4 organization.

Featured

Luz Melissa Cortes Nieto, Tribuno del Pueblo -

We are Jane Doe

What happens when the institution responsible for investigating harm is the same institution worried about its reputation, donors, fraternity relationships, and legal liability? Silence protects power. Accountability means confronting it.
La Jornalera, La Talacha -

Nancy Leaves Before Dawn

This story brings insight into the lives of the millions of women and men who leave before dawn to keep entire cities running by cleaning, building, cooking, caring. But suddenly some want them seen them as criminals.
PEOPLE'S TRIBUNE -

Government Charges Man ICE Shot In Back With Assault

Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, the Venezuelan immigrant shot in the back by an ICE agent in Austin September 20, has now been charged by the government with assaulting a federal officer.
Mike Ludwig , TRUTHOUT -

People Keep Dying in ICE Custody. 13 Dems Back a Bill to Abolish the Agency

Legislation has been introduced called the Melt ICE Act which would dismantle ICE by ending the Department of Homeland Security’s authority to surveil and jail immigrants and redirect its funding to navigate a spiraling affordability crisis.
Bob Lee, People's Tribune -

Resistance is Challenging Grip of AIPAC on Congress

The pro-Israel AIPAC lobby is one of the most powerful lobbies in the country, but its influence over our elections and Congress is increasingly being challenged by candidates and voters.

More from the People's Tribune