We have come a long way since the beginning of this petition.  Almost 4000 Portlanders, and scores of civil rights and social service organizations have said no to mass incarceration of the homeless and yes to compassion. 

Portland is at a crossroads. Either we give in to the politics of fear and dehumanization or we figure out a way to solve the real problems facing our neighbors.  The needles in parks, the trash in our streets and people defecating in public are real problems, but the way to solve these problems is by providing a means for our houseless neighbors to survive with dignity on the streets until we can find enough affordable housing for everyone.

In this final video, Fyndi Jermany, Jerry Harp, Layoni, Bill Michtom, Heather Franklin and Sarah Iannarone explain why criminalizing the existence of people living on the streets is counter-productive and morally wrong.  As Bill Michtom puts it, "So little of what is made into crime is actually criminal behavior."

Join us Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, at 9:30 am. to present the petition to City Council.

Cheers,

Elliott Young