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Rally and Press Conference End the Sweeps Now Mayor Hancock, You Can’t Sweep Away Homelessness Monday March 21st, 2016 4:30-5:30pm

March 19, 2016 by Jonathan 1 Comment

denver flyer

Mayor Michael Hancock has directed the Denver Police to sweep away every homeless person sleeping, having “too many” belongings, or otherwise trying to survive outside in public space. These sweeps are devastating our community. It can hardly be called anything other than a “war on homeless people.”

The sweep on March 8th, 2016 by Broadway and Lawrence was just his kick off. Under the Mayor’s direction, police have been on streets throughout the entire city every day and night telling people to move along, waking people from sleep, and taking belongings.

Every morning or night this week police have come to the public land where people have been sleeping (awaiting land for Resurrection Village: a self governed tiny home village for people currently without homes) and told everyone to wake up, move along, and giving written warnings for violation of the camping ban. At this spot no one is encumbering the sidewalk, and the area is kept clean by those staying there. The only law being broken is the “camping ban” (better named survival ban) which makes it illegal to cover yourself with anything other than your clothing. After the sweeps by Samaritan house, many of those displaced from there, came to sleep at this spot, but with nightly awakenings and move alongs by the police many of people have wondered to other spots in hopes of finding some place to rest. Police have also been sweeping people sleeping by the river, along 16th st, and all over the city. People are being followed around the city by police told to move every time they lay down to rest. This MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY.

We need rest. We are not “camping,” we are surviving. We have to exist somewhere. The city can’t force us into the shelters as if they were a new kind of jail. We have a right to survive.

We are demanding Mayor Hancock Immediately End the Sweeps and Confiscation of People’s Belongings.

Furthermore as a city we must…

  • Repeal the Camping Ban and Pass a Right to Survive
  • Instead of spending city money criminalizing homelessness allocate public funds for homes and underutilized public spaces for alternative housing models

We will not be hidden. We need homes not sweeps.

**Mayor Hancock directed these sweeps, not the City Council. Many City Council members are against the camping ban and many were not on council when it was voted in. Please remember council members will have opportunity to vote in favor of these needs so let them know why you want them to vote yes.

 

Sign the Petition to Demand Mayor Hancock End the Sweeps

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/489/392/694/demand-that-sweeps-of-the-homeless-be-halted-immediately/

Contact:
info@denverhomelessoutloud.org
denverhomelessoutloud.org

4

Filed Under: #right2rest, Actions, Advocacy, Homeless Bill of Rights, National Allies, Poverty, Press Releases, WRAP Members

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Barbara Moore says

    March 21, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    BLESSINGS! MAY YOU BE ABLE TO STOP MAYOR HANCOCK AND THIS HORRIBLY SHAMEFUL ACT OF HIS.

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Nationally, evictions from public housing have sur Nationally, evictions from public housing have surged since late 2021, when the federal government lifted an eviction moratorium put in place to protect renters during the pandemic, according to Peter Hepburn, associate director of Princeton University’s Eviction Lab.  https://conta.cc/3WJco9B
WRAP members and allies always tell us the vital i WRAP members and allies always tell us the vital importance of feeling connected to each other- sharing stories from our own communities, learning from past campaigns, and having artwork that we can share (and wear!) that affirms the life-saving message that we are in this together - we are not alone! 
https://conta.cc/3Wfb5Pw
Join the Coalition On Homelessness San Francisco T Join the Coalition On Homelessness San Francisco Thursday May 11 at 12 noon steps of City Hall
1 Dr. Carlton Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the fin We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the final two Aloft residents, Juilo and Alberto who we asked for the community’s support in advocating for, got a commitment from the State for housing vouchers and the City agreed to bridge them in a hotel like everyone else!! This means that NO Aloft resident was kicked to the shelters or streets due to the closure!! This is a huge testament to what is possible when everyone comes together toward a housing goal and puts their resources toward housing! 
https://conta.cc/3LYOumD
Instagram post 17977559687207330 Instagram post 17977559687207330
Of course, in a time when the poor people are demo Of course, in a time when the poor people are demonized for being poor and homeless people are increasingly seen more as something to fear rather than human beings, it’s unfortunately not all that surprising.
https://conta.cc/3HxZpkV
https://conta.cc/3HwGcQq
We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the fin We are thrilled to announce that yesterday the final two Aloft residents, Juilo and Alberto who we asked for the community’s support in advocating for, got a commitment from the State for housing vouchers and the City agreed to bridge them in a hotel like everyone else!! This means that NO Aloft resident was kicked to the shelters or streets due to the closure!! This is a huge testament to what is possible when everyone comes together toward a housing goal and puts their resources toward housing! 
https://conta.cc/3HsVsOn
Unhoused people are most often prosecuted for "cri Unhoused people are most often prosecuted for "crimes of survival," like sitting, lying down, or sleeping in public space. In order to protect people from discriminatory enforcement of laws that were created deny people their right to exist where they happen to live The Right To Rest Act was created in 2015 and is still being fought for today!!!! 
The Right 2 Rest Act did not meet the threshold to be voted out of committee this term, but this informational hearing will ensure legislators know this bill is necessary to protect our human rights to public space! 
https://conta.cc/3KSclTn
Join us to discuss the specifics of the Right to R Join us to discuss the specifics of the Right to Rest Act, HB3501:  What it is, why we need it and how we make it happen in Oregon.  https://conta.cc/3ZOeMvA
WRAP Round Up & Job Announcement. Hello amazing en WRAP Round Up & Job Announcement.
Hello amazing endorsers and coalition members! First off, thank you for all of your enduring support for the Right to Rest Act. This legislative session is confusing and convoluted, and your faith in the positive impact of this bill makes the struggle worth it. 

We face numerous obstacles such as a delayed bill number and committee assignment, as well as losing a couple co-sponsors from 2021. However, Rep. Chaichi (Chief Sponsor) and Rep. Pham (Co-Sponsor) continue to move this bill forward and advocate on our behalf. 
https://conta.cc/3zl8SHO
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And the hits (sweeps) just keep on coming!!!

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Nationally, evictions from public housing have surged since late 2021, when the federal government lifted an eviction moratorium put in plac...
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