'Liberate' The Homeless

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Portland, Oregon, one of the most liberal cities on the left coast knuckled under to another group of “Homeless” who started their protest in 2000. They camped on Public Land, refusing to leave and eventually, liberal city officials caved and Dignity Village was born, attracting many more to the area looking for a sweet hand out.

Now, a group calling themselves the Homeless Liberation Front has set up camp outside of City Hall demanding low cost housing and other amenities, at taxpayer expense and a repeal of the city’s no camping, no loitering ordinance.

Mayor Potter has noted that the City of Portland spends $37.5 million every year on programs to end homelessness, get people into jobs, and develop housing.

One protester, claiming to be a 31 homeless veteran said, “It’s really simple; there’s completely inadequate shelter space.” Queried by reporters about empty beds in available shelters, others stated some "homeless" have dogs and shelters won’t accept dogs.

Others claimed shelters spit up men and women and they desired to stay with their partners. Arthur Rios, one of the protest organizers says,

“Some people are also just happier camping out, perhaps because they’re not comfortable in large groups or fear having their belongings stolen while they sleep.”

Protesters want the city ban on camping lifted. Potter, in conciliation, said he would be willing to discuss a “green zone,” a centralized campsite where homeless men and women could meet with mental health workers, nurses and social workers in addition to spending the night.

Mayor Potter says he cannot and will not lift the ban on camping within the city. He says Portland Police will “sweep” the campsite, arresting any who defy the order to move along.

The “Homeless” have had their own web site seeking support and airing their side of the stand off, created by The Mental Health Association of Portland.

Noting empty beds at shelters, Mayor Potter also said that many people now participating in the protest obviously were not “homeless” and suggested those people take a few homeless men and women home with them overnight during the protest so they don't violate the law.

Asked if he would take a “homeless” person into his home, Mayor Potter answered, “No!”

Portland has built 1,008 new “low-income” housing units over the last three years and replaced some $20 million in federal funding meant to help people pay rent. Homeless protesters and advocates say shelter space isn’t what they asked for. They demand the right to sleep outdoors and a loosening of anti-loitering laws.

“Homeless” Protesters claim

"the city’s camping ordinance and sit/lie ordinance infringe on the civil rights of homeless people,” adding, “These vague vagrancy laws affect our rights to sit or be in the city where and when we choose, they infringe on all of our civil rights.”

One supporter states,

“The folks at city hall better hope that the folks out front don't start exercising ALL of their civil rights. The first amendment is great, but the second seems more like it if you want to invoke the true spirit of the founders.”

Others are now referring to liberal Portland as “Hobophobic Portland.”

One “homeless” protester, in a TV News interview, said urging them to move to shelters amounted to “economic discrimination.”

The question that remains unanswered is, just what do these “free spirits” need liberated from, the rules of society that the rest of us must live by?

Is this what the move to the left by society has brought us, a group that feels they may do as they please while we taxpayers pay and support them?

If these are truly “homeless” unemployed people, why do we need so many ILLEGAL aliens to “do the work Americans won’t?" Portland is opening a “day labor center” to help ILLEGALS find employment.

It is my humble opinion that the ILLEGALS should be deported and the “homeless” be given first priority on jobs at this center. If they do not want to work, no entitlements, no benefits.

It is time they "liberated" themselves from the “homeless” lifestyle, got a job and paid their own way!