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Saturday, June 6, 2009

News Soapbox Under The Bridge Issues "Citations" To Rose Parade Campers Under Anti-Camping + Sit/Lie Laws

Posted by Matt Davis on Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 9:34 AM

Portland's most refreshing homeless activism group Soapbox Under The Bridge spoke to 300 people camped out along the Rose Parade route last night, issuing fake anti-camping citations to draw attention to the laws. The city's anti-camping and sit/lie laws apply year-round in Portland, but are suspended for the Rose Parade. Here's the text of the fake citations:

Oregonian Citation and Compliant To Be Used Where Complaint Will Not Be Filed

In the City of Portland of the State of Oregon, the Following Person: ______________________________________/ ______/______/_______

YOUR NAME (LAST, FIRST, M.I.) D.O.B.


MARK ALL THAT APPLY:
â–¡ On Public Property or on the Public Right of Way within the City of Portland, Oregon, and/or

â–¡ On the Public Sidewalk in the Downtown Zone or Rose Quarter/Lloyd Zone in the above mentioned city and state:

â–¡ Violated the Sit-Lie Ordinance by being on the public Sidewalk between 7 AM and 9 PM when prohibited by Portland City Code 14A.50.030, subject to a $250 fine pursuant to 14A.50.030 K.

â–¡ Violated the Anti-Camping Ordinance by being on the Public Sidewalk between 9 PM and 7 AM when prohibited by Portland City Code 14A.50.020, subject to a
$100 fine, 30 days imprisonment or both pursuant to 14A.50.020 C.

â–¡ Is exempt from the above mentioned Portland City Codes pursuant to Portland City Code 14A.55.010 C for not being a homeless person and for engaging in the above mentioned activities as a leisure activity and not one of necessity or emergency arising from lack of housing.

To learn more, please feel free to contact us at: soapboxunderthebridge@gmail.com


Then the back side of the cites:
* In the City of Portland, there are "Anti Camping" and "Sit Lie" laws. Between these two laws, Portland has set up a structure of criminalizing people based on housing status both day and night.

* Portland's city council has repeatedly said there is not enough low income housing for all of those in need, which makes having an Anti-Camping law patently unfair.

* Portland already has laws that require people to not block the sidewalk, which makes having a Sit/Lie law both redundant and by its use, nothing more than a scare tactic and a "move along" law.

*The Sit/Lie law (14A.50.030 ) also limits a person's freedom of speech by removing your ability to protest as an individual.

* The Sit/Lie law, technically "Sidewalk Obstructions", is not used against any other sidewalk obstructions besides human beings. It also is in the main used against homeless people. Of those tickets, over 90% have been homeless. This in a city where by the city's count about 1% of the population is homeless.


I describe Soapbox Under The Bridge as refreshing because as far as I can tell, the group isn't beholden to any funding sources. Which means it can actually speak up for homeless people without worrying what that might do for their donation stream. In 2009, you'd think that wouldn't be such a pervasive problem, but as far as I can see, it's about time more scrutiny was paid to nonprofits in this town supposedly speaking up for the homeless. What are their stated positions? Who are they tight with? Who are their major donors? Why are they sitting at a table talking nice with the Portland Business Alliance? You get the idea. I'd like to think hypocrisy might be bad for donations, too.

 

Comments (4) RSS

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1
Oh Matt,

There you go again throwing rocks and dissing on groups for shits and giggles.

If you're going to post such things - why not call it out, oh but wait, where does the Soap Box group meet every week and use their resources?

And isn't Sisters still being outspoken and present on civil rights issues - just being ignored by your lovely reporting.

Oh and who e-mailed you last week asking to spread the word about the Rose City Resource website that will help people and actually has the most comprehensive Know Your Rights section meant to be a tool for such refreshing groups? I never received any communication back - why not Matt? Are we not speaking loud enough for your liking?

You have chosen to ignore and alienate Street Roots specifically on these issues over the past few months. You have burned me as a source, accused me of being involved in things that simply aren't true and continue to report only what you want to report not what is actually happening.

So, scrutiny. By you, good fucking luck with that one...



Posted by Israel on June 6, 2009 at 11:14 AM · Report
2
So since the ordinance is suspended for the parade, their efforts are as effective as their cause.
Posted by D on June 6, 2009 at 3:43 PM · Report
3
Israel,

Sorry, but the disjointed logic in your response completely undermined your point! Wait...what the hell is your point? All I can take from it is that you feel wronged by Matt. Was there more?

Perhaps next time you should switch to decaf/set the crack pipe down/consult your therapist before you post a senseless comment trying to tear apart an actual news-worthy story.

But thanks for the laughs nonetheless!
Posted by Press5forPigLatin on June 6, 2009 at 3:55 PM · Report
4
@D The people handing out those "citations" were trying to get public attention for their efforts. We wouldn't be talking about it if they'd failed.
Posted by Will Radik on June 6, 2009 at 8:24 PM · Report

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