by Walkerasurus
Last year the Colorado Right to Rest Act failed to pass committee at the state legislature (local government). The story of the hearing can be best summed up in this way. Committee chair Steve Lesbock (District 34) stopped the
proceedings to discipline other members of the committee for making inappropriate comments while the testimony was being given. While the hundreds attending the 8 hour proceeding were unaware, Representative Hugh McKean (District 51) was posting pictures of random individuals dozing off in the lengthy proceeding and making fun of them. McKean voted against the legislation. The homeless in our cities have a hard enough time being treated with dignity and respect as it is. .
This, however, is not the whole story. Momentum is growing for the legislation. Year after year the coalition of organizations and communities who support the legislation keeps growing. As the visibility of homelessness grows across the nation, people are becoming more aware that communities need a better response than to just “move along” those who are stuck outside. Cities all across the nation are losing law suits over peoples right to exist in public space. Until we have better solutions, we need to protect peoples right to survive.
Here in Colorado advocacy organizations from cities all across the state have testified on behalf of the legislation for years. The only opposition to the legislation seems to come from local government and and law enforcement. Last year of only 5 organizations testified against the legislation while more than 60 testified in favor. This is common with legislation in regards to the rights of homeless folks. People and organizations from the seats of power testifying against the poor and the need of the poor to do what they must to survive the elements outside. Property is either public or private. Can't be sleeping on someones private property so if you have no place of your own you have to sleep somewhere. The whole idea of public property is that even the poorest among us will have access. Everybody sleeps.
Locally, Denver Homeless Out Loud, is leading the charge to protect the right of the homeless community to use public space. They have been joined by many other organizations and coalitions. Including but not limited to the Interfaith Alliance, the Colorado Village Collaborative and the Alternative Solutions Advocacy Project. Coalitions are building in other cities across the state as well. This is noted by the fact that testimony for the legislation has come from places like Colorado Spring, Fort Collins , Greeley and Grand Junction. That is testimony from the front range the plains and the Western slope. Yep, this is a statewide issue. Poor people are in every community. And if help is unavailable they need space to exist.
Coordinating such and effort is a daunting task. With the use of cellphones to hold conference calls, emails to discuss bill language and other various techniques, even the poorest among us can mount a statewide effort.
The work continues. The legislature will be back in session in January.
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