As I type this little note ,I am listening to Mayor Rybak's interview with me regarding the no camping, no sleeping in cars ordinances.
The Mayor gave a thoughtful and respectful interview.
He also said that he would welcome information sent to him about these types of ordinances and how other cities have responded to them.
I am sending via certified mail the over 200 page report "Illegal to be Homeless" for the Mayor and/or his staff to review. This will be mailed to him this Weds.This report is a clear description of these ordinances and how other cities have dealt with them and legal actions taken against them in other cities. If any of you on this list want a brief version, contact me and I will send it to you via an attachment.
Of course, just to keep the issue lively, there will be another campout March 15th once again at the Hennepin County Government Center.
...and once again, the hope is that there will be no arrests as this moral travesty is brought to light.
The Mayor is not to be the sole figure put on the spot about this---the City Council and the County Commissioners need to step up and support a moratorium on these laws and take steps to provide decent housing now.
So, Mayor Rybak, Mike Opat and all other politicos... people who have houses and everyone else... bring those sleeping bags March 15th starting at 3p.m. until 9a.m. Sunday, March 16th.
If you are into the peace movement... then march right on over to the campout...
Margaret Hastings-Mpls-Kingfield
