Our pressure campaign is making a difference.
Last night, I debated this issue with Mayor Adler on Fox 7. You can watch the segment here. Please share it on your social media networks!
The Washington Post just published a story about our efforts and the disastrous camping ordinance.
Every day we learn new facts about this disastrous policy.
Yesterday morning I attended a forum hosted by the Downtown Austin Alliance. As the event began, their board vice chair said the Convention and Visitors Bureau is seeing fewer conventions and business meetings scheduled since this policy went into effect.
More than 700 people attended the forum in the middle of a business day.
Despite the host organization's best efforts and their noble intentions, the forum was a complete waste of time. Mayor Adler and Council Member Casar made the same points they always do and ignored many concerns expressed by Austin residents. Two more forums are scheduled (Aug. 29 at LBJ Library and in early September in South Austin).
Here is where things stand:
> Despite saying that in August that they would revisit the policy, the issue of homelessness and any review of current city policies HAVE NOT been on the agenda for a single council meeting in the month of August.
> The Mayor and the Council directed the City Manager to identify specific locations where public camping can safely occur, but late last week the City Manager's office refused to do so.
> Next month, there is only one council meeting scheduled, on Thursday, September 17, so that will be the next opportunity. The Mayor told me last night he expects action at that meeting.
What action will they take? I think they will ban public camping in 'high pedestrian areas', including on Congress Avenue, on 6th Street, on 2nd Street and on Guadalupe. This would be an improvement but it is wholly insufficient.
I was asked on Fox 7 last night what our plan is.
I responded that in September we will shift toward a ballot petition signature drive with the goal of repealing this disastrous policy in the May 2020 election. This will require $200,000 in fundraising and significant volunteer efforts, but I am confident each of you will help us.
In the mean time, we will keep working to persuade the council.
This is where you can help.
We have over 27,000 signatures and so far you have sent over 600 emails to Mayor Adler and the council. We need to boost this number.
> You can quickly email Mayor Adler here.
> You can quickly email your council member here.
In the meantime, please continue sharing SaveAustinNowPetition.com and ask people to sign. NextDoor and Facebook are particularly useful platforms for this.
If you want to help our efforts, you can securely contribute here.
We are grateful for your support.
Sincerely,
Matt Mackowiak
Save Austin Now, Founder
(email: matt.mackowiak@gmail.com)