Stop Criminalizing the Homeless For Being Homeless

The criminalization of homelessness is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court April 22.

Latest

rally at california state capitol to end homelessness
Freeway, a former resident of the now dismantled Oakland Wood Street Commons, speaks at a rally at the California State Capitol sponsored by the Sacramento Union of the Homeless to end homelessness. Freeway said upwards of 13 people have died following the city’s evictions from their homes. Photo/Sandy Reid, People’s Tribune

As encampments of the unhoused are destroyed by cities across the country, the criminalization of homelessness is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court. On April 22, the Court will hear Johnson v. Grants Pass, the most significant Supreme Court case about homelessness criminalization and the rights of homeless people in decades. It will decide if cities can punish people for sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket—for essentially being homeless—even when there are no shelter options.

James, an unhoused man who was ordered to sweep his encampment in 72 hours, said, “They’re not going to give me a quarter, nickel, dime — nothing — they just say get out!”

Freeway, a former resident at the now dismantled Oakland Wood Street Commons, told a housing rally in Sacramento, California at the State Capitol in March, “What the government is implementing, these restrictive policies they’re imposing on us are nothing short of warfare, class war. And the evidence is in. The people we know and love are deteriorating every single day, mentally, physically, with upwards of 13 people we’ve lost since the eviction, the casualties of this war. When we’re fighting the fight, try to keep the 13 people in your heart and have compassion.” Housing Now!

Crystal Sanchez, President of the Sacramento Homeless Union, stands with unhoused people from Sacramento while speaking about the growing movement for the right to a home at the rally at the State Capitol in March, 2024.

Join the movement that knows housing solves homelessness! Read more about the Supreme Court hearings coming up and find out how you can help: Go to: johnsonvgrantspass.com/how-you-can-help

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Pushing People into a Really Bad System Will End Really Badly

President Trump's executive order fuses drug use and homelessness, ignoring that homelessness can cause or exacerbate substance use because people use drugs to cope with pain. Forced institutional settings rather than housing will not help the ill or unhoused.

Chicago Resistance Speaks: ‘Until All Are Free, None Are Free’

An uprising is growing as the government tries to impose a dictatorship. Chicago resistance leaders recently offered their thoughts in public remarks made at demonstrations and press conferences.

Los Angeles Continues to Rebuild and Resist

Angelinos, suffering from the profit over people economy, continue to rebuild after the fires and to protest immigration raids, while also experiencing joy in such difficult times.

Chicago Teachers Union Says: Trump, Stay Out of Our City

Chicago Teachers Union rejects any unlawful federal occupation of their city, while welcoming federal leadership that fully funds public education, restores SNAP, and expands Medicaid to healthcare for all.

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

More from the People's Tribune