Photo by Jane Nguyen
LOS ANGELES, CA — The city of Los Angeles has always used punitive policies to mistreat and abuse unhoused people. One in three use-of-force incidents by LAPD are against an unhoused person. Every member of the rally in support of Joey “Buckets of Feces” Buscaino [LA City Council member and candidate for mayor] was identified as a member of the Venice Neighborhood Council, with deep real estate ties. Joe Buscaino is responsible for human rights violations in his own district, and destroying what little resources people have by coming in to do sweeps. He comes to Venice, as Los Angeles Community Action Network puts it, “to serve as the messiah for the segregationists.”
These people want to clear encampments so their property values go up, but block housing from being built in their communities. They do not represent the people of Los Angeles — the working poor, the migrants, the queer LGBTQ youth, and the unhoused. We must fight to support people who are being told they have no right to exist. We must continue to fight for permanent supportive housing and for the right to be treated with dignity.
Buscaino represents the LAPD approach to homelessness, which is to sweep the problem under the rug, with threats of arrest. It only emboldens NIMBYs across this city to take violent action against people who live outside. His plan to make Los Angeles “safer” is based on taking people’s tents away and criminalizing those who refuse shelter.
This is what Los Angeles has been doing for the last 40 years, and that approach only perpetuates homelessness. You cannot police your way out of homelessness. It does not work.
Police do not make our communities safer. Politicians who pander to real estate interests have no interest in our communities who are struggling to survive. Beware when they come in and say they are coming in to help, but still carry guns. We believe people know what kind of help they need. Let’s make those resources and support available so people have the opportunity to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Being homeless is not a crime. Hoarding wealth and vacant properties that can house people immediately is the crime. People have the right to a home.
Stories of resistance and unity in the fight for Housing as a Right
This story is one in a series stories sent to the People’s Tribune from leaders of the homeless and housing movements in different cities. They reflect the consciousness and resistance of those fighting to keep themselves and others in their homes, now and once the national eviction moratorium ends on July 31, and against the harassment and criminalization of our brothers and sisters who have already been thrown into the streets.
People are demanding that federal Covid monies pledged to ‘help’ go into real protection and real housing, not to corporate landlords or prison-like shelters. People are organizing to resist evictions and the destruction of independent tent encampments. They are using various forms of media to share stories and strategies, as well as on-the-ground actions, linking up into a national network and movement.
Our power lies in the unity of millions in this fight. The People’s Tribune wants your stories, photos and comments, to help get out the word about this important and growing movement. Send to info@peoplestribune.org or leave comments or stories at www.peoplestribune.org. Or call 773-48-3551. Let’s connect! — Sarah Menefee, Homeless and Housing Desk, People’s Tribune
‘I can’t fight any longer but maybe my story can help’
Los Angeles: ‘People have a right to a home!’Human rights violations against the unhoused community in Los Angeles
During a pandemic housing is a matter of life and death
May all have a real home…
Reno homeless and their supporters resist cruel sweeps
