01/04/2020
Because the city thought it was a great idea to shut down the Road Home just before the winter, and then continue harassing and punishing people for sleeping. We should be working to improve conditions for unsheltered people, not further oppress them every day! Please stand with these community members who are fighting for a just world, in Salt Lake City and everywhere.
Happening Now: Camping Occupation of SLC's Washington Square!
In solidarity with our unsheltered neighbors, the Take Shelter Coalition has set up a camp in front of the City and County building, in Washington Square Park.
We are a coalition of community leaders and organizers from a wide range of struggles united with our unsheltered neighbors to demand shelter and dignity for every person forced to live on the streets.
We are doing this occupation because the shelters are full. Every day there are more people than the shelters have beds to accomodate. With no where else to go, they are forced to sleep outside, and yet the cops treat camping outdoors as a criminal act. The police steal people's survival belongings. Blankets, sleeping bags, tents, and bikes are all rounded up and placed in trucks headed to the dump. This makes the already difficult task of making it through the winter nearly impossible. These camp "clean ups" are unconstitutional and violate the police department and health department's own policies. All this while the state of Utah continues to give money to real estate developers, not for community good. So we, the Take Shelter Coalition, are forced to take up the work of keeping people warm this winter. Work that should be done with our tax dollars. We are staging this occupation to demand action from the city. We demand a new shelter open downtown, that an equivalent number of beds be made readily available and accessible, no arrests, tickets or harassment for campers, change legislation for new centers to have more beds, and free public transit fare for all who stay in shelters.
We call on you to stand with us! Join us in Washington Square Park. In the face of oppression we will sing and dance, we will cook and eat together, we will hold power accountable, we will stand up, and we will fight back. There is safety in community, so if you are able to join us at camp for any amount of time, we will love to see you there. We are also in need of community support for donations of: coats, sleeping bags, blankets, tents, boots, hand warmers, and propane. You can also donate cash to the fund at paypal.me/MOliveros
No beds, no peace!
