HOMELESS CAMPING ORDINANCE UPDATE
Dear fellow Austinite -
We did it!
We turned in 24,087 signed petitions to put reinstatement of the camping ban on the November ballot. We were required to turn in at least 20,000.
In past petition efforts, the invalid signature rate has been in the 6-8 percent range. We turned in 20 percent more than was required, so we have an excellent chance of qualifying for the ballot.
Now the city clerk's office begins their verification process, which should take a few weeks.
This is an extraordinary accomplishment, given the difficulty presented by coronavirus, the economic collapse and shelter-at-home consuming most of our signature collection window.
Because we had over 80 unpaid volunteers and received more than 1,200 individual donations, we were able to meet the signature threshold under these unbelievably difficult circumstances.
Our signers make up every neighborhood, every zip code, and every demographic in this city.
We overcame outrageous opposition tactics from individuals who only want to perpetuate the failed policies which leave our homeless desperate and unsafe on the side of the road.
We are not anti-homeless. We are anti-camping.
We want our homeless in shelters, in transitional housing, and if need be, at the state campground which is safe and has services on site.
Our fight is not over. We have overcome the first major test.
Once we are verified, a new campaign will begin and we will need your help again.
If you are able to help us begin building up our funds again, please contribute here. The last month was very expensive, and we need to prepare a legal strategy if the city seeks to deny that our petitions are valid.
To every single person who signed a petition, collected a petition, posted about our effort on social media, sent an email or a text, contributed to our efforts, or just talked to a friend or a colleague about us -- we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
We can save our city.
We have to win this fight.
Together, we cannot lose.
Thank you!
-Matt Mackowiak
Co-founder, Save Austin Now
> Questions? Email matt@saveaustinnow.com
> Learn more: http://www.SaveAustinNow.com