Why are there People Protesting in Front of City Hall?

You may have noticed over thirty people protesting behind Portland’s City Hall.  This is not a Sisters action.  But below is a letter Sisters sent to the City of Portland explaining our solidarity position with the campers.

An Open Letter to the City of Portland

April 30, 2008

Greetings;

Sisters Of The Road does not represent, but speaks in solidarity with, the protesters at City Hall.  They are reflective of a growing number of homeless people in Portland with nowhere to sleep safely and legally.  While there have been some admirable efforts to mitigate this problem, the reality remains that there are not nearly enough shelter beds, transitional and affordable housing in this community, and people are criminalized for experiencing the outcome of this calamity.  We urge you to open immediate, meaningful dialogue with the protesters on your doorstep, and to take the following actions:

1. Repeal the sit-lie and anti-camping ordinances, recognizing that Portland cannot yet house all its citizens and infringing on their civil rights adds insult to this injury.
2. Resist the urge to only find shelter for those who are protesting now.  Whatever help can, and should, be given to them is a bandage on a much larger wound.  The group disappearing from the steps of City Hall today will not solve anything in the long term, and it will not be the last time this community raises its voice in protest to the conditions that lead to the current situation.
3. Any long-term solution to homelessness requires a restoration of federal investment in affordable housing.  Portland has the opportunity to recognize this crisis as one of national significance, and lead the call for action.
4. Hold a truth commission at City Hall, where elected officials, law enforcement and the public can listen to the truths about homelessness from those who are experiencing it, and develop systemic solutions to address it.

We are confident that you share our deep concern for people who are protesting in front of City Hall, as well as the thousands of others who will struggle to find a safe, legal place to sleep tonight. We look forward to a response that moves us meaningfully towards lasting solutions.

Respectfully,

Monica Beemer, Executive Director
Michael Buonocore, Associate Director
and the staff of Sisters Of The Road
503-222-5694 ext. 23