Editor’s note: Below are comments about Trump’s threats against California’s homeless. The outcry has been clear and wide against this latest threat—to round up homeless people, destroy their tents and tent communities, and put them away in federally-run camps, away from downtowns and resources. Talk of sweeping and incarcerating people in shutdown military bases is sparking outrage and resistance.
I’ve said it a million times Trump’s next target is the homeless. … Sprung tents in Sacramento … the last shelter had barbed wire like prison and awful conditions, more people outside then inside. … Can’t deport the homeless but U.S.A. will hide its dirty secret instead of using the resource$ to provide resources. They will use the resources to hide and dehumanize these people. Don’t think it can happen to you? Think again no one is secure … it can happen to anyone. Perfect example Campfire victims in Sacramento and Marysville camps who during the fire were provided for taken care of … until it was no longer the big story. … Stop throwing people away. … Most Americans are one check away.
– Crystal Rose Sanchez, The Sacramento Homeless Union and the Poor People’s Campaign
CLASS WARFARE ALERT!
The President of the United States has threatened homeless people. He has threatened their possessions. He has threatened their ability to care for themselves as they choose to. He is threatening to round them up and force them into government-backed facilities. He is not issuing an executive order for the needed housing. He is not funding the needed housing in a budget. He is going to raze our independent camps instead.
Our founding members all had the same fear. FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] camps. It was a topic of discussion every day when we were doing the 9-month occupation of the Federal Reserve. That occupation had many hundreds of homeless people stopping through. All of them joined in the discussion and agreed it was coming.
When we formed ‘First they came for the homeless’ we were very deliberate about our name and image messaging. We were trying to send a warning and a wake-up call. The truth is, homeless, seniors, and disabled are not profitable. They are useless eaters. They will be the first to go into a warehouse full of other useless eaters.
A billionaire who has never needed a thing in his life said he was going to raze homeless camps. Inherited money made him. Not ability. Not life challenges that normal people experience. Not our reality. His daddy’s money.
He has started us down the path that leaves us no choice but to put a call to action out. Make and display signs saying “No FEMA Camps for the Homeless”. It’s easy and quick. If enough people do it and spread the idea, perhaps the President will back the hell off.
– Mike Zint, Co-founder “First they came for the homeless,” San Francisco Bay Area, CA
I’m a 56 year-old disabled ex surgery coordinator and 30-year nurse I am homeless I live in my van I’m treated like scum every single day I’ve even thought about suicide because I’m not used to being treated like I’m a criminal. I’ve never had a ticket, I’ve never been in jail I’m a good person. College-educated. Disabled now due to no fault of my own I can’t afford a place to live. The rich people want it all they buy it all up so the poor people can’t get a roof and get on their feet they treat us like scum of the Earth. We can’t even get a shower now with cove Ed and the gyms closing. Of course we’re going to look scruffy somebody please where is the love? Where is the respect for your fellow man? Why do the rich people get everything and the poor get nothing?
Chris millhouse