City Bans Church Homeless Warming Center in 6 Degree Weather

Many oppose local government's denial of church's right to follow their teachings

Latest

Church denied setting up a warming center for homeless people
A church was to set up a warming center to provide the unhoused population with overnight shelter in the winter Months where temperatures have dipped to 6 degrees. Screen shot, youtube.com

“We have a responsibility as a community to take care of those members in our community,” said Victorie Wilson, who provided public comment to the Planning Commission [that denied a church from setting up a warming center for homeless people]. Give them a warm, safe place to stay… Give them more opportunities to choose where they sleep for the night.”

The Rapid City, S.D. Planning Commission denied a church their right to use its own property as a warming center for the homeless in 6 degree weather.  The Commission voted 6 to 2 stating concern of the church’s “mission” to meet fire codes.

Local business owners had pressured the local government to deny the permit. So instead of allowing the church to follow their teachings, it seems local government would rather allow people to die in the cold! 

Many are in favor, though. They point out that shelters in unused buildings would be a great addition to the city. And further, that, “We have a responsibility as a community to take care of those members in our community,” said Victorie Wilson, who provided public comment to the Planning Commission, “it is on us for having those failings of them being unhoused. Give them a warm, safe place to stay. Give them more opportunities to choose where they sleep for the night.”

A talk show host (watch Kyle Kulinski’s righteous rant on Secular Talk below) says people have a right to have a roof over their head, a church has a right to shelter people on it’s property and government should leave them alone. About the City he said: Their answer is to “let them freeze.”

+ Articles by this author

Cathy Talbott is a former telephone operator, a job lost to automation. She was a homeless mother of two and fights for welfare rights.  A former co-host of a weekly community radio program out of Carbondale, IL, “Occupy the Airwaves,” Cathy is the Environmental Desk for the People’s Tribune.

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

May Day 2025: United We Will Win

International Worker’s Day is celebrated on May 1st around the world. Today, the entire U.S. working class, of which immigrants comprise an integral part, is under attack. The defense of immigrants is vital to the defense of the entire working class.

White School Officer Pepper-sprayed and Kneed Black Beaumont, TX Student, Complaint says. Will Feds Act?

A 6-second video, recorded by a teacher and reviewed by the Texas Observer, shows an officer grabbing a student’s hair, kneeing her in the face, and knocking the 100-pound girl on her back.

Pope Francis Dies After Easter Plea to End War in Gaza

"In his final public message, Pope Francis decried the “terrible conflict” in Gaza.

Bring Union Brother Kilmar Home: His Deportation Is an Attack on All of Us

The deportation of union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a gut punch to the labor movement, a slap in the face to every worker who dares to organize.

Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame Inducts 11 Journalists

Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame selects 11 journalists in its 2025 class. See speech from one of the 11, Daymon J. Hartley, who has contributed photos from the front lines to the People's Tribune for decades.

More from the People's Tribune