Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 10:54:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Dixie Salazar <dsalazar@csufresno.edu>
To: fac-list <fac-list@fresnoarts.info>, mindhub-list
<mindhub-list@list.mindhub.org>
Subject: [MindHub] War on the homeless
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Following is a letter I recently sent to Mayor Swearengin:
I am a writer, artist, educator and community activist currently working with the homeless in Fresno. Also, I am a citizen, extremely concerned about the ordinance that would prohibit the homeless from asking for money on the medians. At a time when the jail is overcrowded and strapped for funds, I think it is a foolish waste of city money to try and enforce this kind of draconian legislation. I personally believe it is also un-Christian and discriminatory, violating basic first amendment rights. But if we stay with just the cost, imagine if you will that a homeless person is cited. They won?t be able to pay the fine, which could result in jail time, costing the city even more money. How is that helping the homeless? How is that helping our city?s economic situation? Also consider, please, the costly court battles that could arise out of a clearly unconstitutional law. Can you possibly imagine having nowhere to live, no money , no resources and then finding yourself criminalized for trying to make a few dollars? Please oppose this unjust, foolish and heartless ordinance.

Other evidence of the city's war on the homeless:
Chasing them from one vacant lot to another in a series of "evictions". You will hear "official postings" that they are issuing housing vouchers and putting these people in touch with agencies that will help them. If you actually go out and talk to those same homeless people, you will find that they often are put on waiting LISTS that go nowhere, that are in a constant state of WAITING. Meanwhile, the people are stuck on the streets, their very existence deemed illegal and constantly harassed. Of course some homeless have drug and alcohol problems and some are mentally ill. But, since our society is continuing to cut basic services for these populations, how can these problems not get worse? Every day more and more families are on the street and desperate. Add to this the city's ongoing refusal to at least provide water, trash pick-up and toilets for the homeless on the streets. (No, it's not an ideal answer, but we aren't dealing with ideal conditions here). And if it helps people and saves lives, why not? (At least temporarily).

I recently got a letter stating that the city will be sending out LOCKING trash containers for the space behind our gallery. Is this part of a new policy to impinge on homeless dumpster diving? Recycling is the main occupation of most of the homeless.

There is also the recent case of the two cops who beat up Glen Beaty, a homeless man who was handcuffed and incapacitated. If you think this is an isolated case, I'm sorry to say it isn't. I've heard many similar stories from homeless people I trust.

So, why? Why is the city not helping the homeless, and doing what seems like everything in their power to make it harder for them?

I think one word might cover it-- GENTRIFICATION. We've seen it in numerous big cities-- part of a greater effort to "clean up" downtown and redevelop. I'm all for that, but let's approach it with our basic humanity intact and not at the expense of those who are the most needy and the most vulnerable.
Dixie Salazar.