Portland protesters bring pitchforks and torches to City Hall over anti-homeless proposal
Protesters in Portland, Ore., showed up at the doors of city hall carrying actual pitchforks and torches, to express their anger about proposals to change laws related to homelessness in the progressive city.
Portland’s leaders have begun debating a bill that would allow police to target homeless people sitting on sidewalks, according to The Oregonian.
The new laws would make it easier for police to clear out homeless encampments, which opponents say would merely exacerbate the problem as police discard homeless people’s only warm clothing and blankets during a purge.
Mayor Charlie Hales “told reporters at Oregon Live “This is not about homelessness. It’s about lawlessness.”
But a self-described “angry mob” of protestors took to City Hall on Tuesday waving pitchforks and torches. “We demand that our city council stop making homelessness a crime,” one protester identified only as “Justin” says to the camera.
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AEu2n2DGF8s for 5-minute video.
Replies
Hi! I'am with the protesters in spirit from a non-violent state of mind and as Gandhi once said,"There are unjust laws as there are unjust men and women!"Making homelessness a crime is a crime in itself and I don't resonate with the mayor's comment,"That this is about lawlessness!"Me and my Dad were homeless in Albuquerque,New Mexico ourselves.So we know how the homeless their feel not to mention the impressive show of protest against this law by the occupy movement! If anything they deserve free housing according to my paradism mindset.It should be in the constitution as well written as a right for all human beings not just a luxury as most conditional service to self people would like to think it is.In the spirit and force of unconditional love and service to others.May the homeless have homes made for free out of recycable material and may these homes be off the grid powered by non-nuclear free energy technologies healthy as well as in balance plus in harmony with the natural environment,"Namaste!"P.S:I also saw that scene in the movie,"They Live,"as well and talk about crimes against humanity when their encampment was destroyed,"Bye!"
Reminds me of the movie They Live, where they bulldoze the homeless camp.