Mood:
energeticNow Playing: Video taping and sharing can be done by any joe anybody
Topic: HUMANITY
So there is this protest going on in Portland downtown that is pertaining to a new proposed law that would make it illegal to sit or lie on the sidewalk (downtown only) and if your blocking so much of a % of the "right of way". My videos are here on Portland INDY MEDIA http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2007/03/355710.shtml
Number 1 YouTube
Number 2 Google
I believe this is being organized by the PBA or something like that. Basically the downtown business don't want "homeless or loitering" in front of their business, so they are pushing behind this unconstitutional law. As one can hear in my crappy audio taping that was with the video portion, mentions that this law is to be implanted after a few measure are in place.....and I did say a "few" ....those being .....public restroom, benches (dozen) and day shelter available.
I read on a comment left on INDY MEDIA where a similar bill was passed and then was found unconstitutional. Here is what that poster said:
| courts uphold rights of homeless | 15.Mar.2007 16:28 |
| Comment by: legalade |
Jones et al v Los Angeles (April 14, 2006)
"federal appeals court panel ruled on Friday that arresting homeless people for sleeping, sitting or lying on sidewalks and other public property when other shelter is not available was cruel and unusual punishment."
New York Times April 15
The federal appeals court in the article is the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and it includes under its jurisdiction Portland Oregon. It looks to me like the "sit/lie" ordinance is unconstituional on its face and could cost the city lots of money if someone were to be charged with the heinous crime of sitting or lying on the sidewalk, and then sued the city, citing the case above.
Just goes to show that the cops and tose who give them orders are not the least bit interested in justice or our safety. Rather, they are waging class warfare against the majority of people, and especially those of the lowest economic class, unable to defend themselves.