Political Responsibility, Salt Lake Street News, Police Harrasment

Greetings readers and homeless friends:

Had a great time volunteering at the Salt Lake City Farmer's Market for the Democratic Party. Registered some people to vote, distributed a lot of lawn signs and bumper stickers and literature. I never pass up a chance to do my civic duty, and neither should you. After all, we get the government we support and vote for. I want to encourage every one to get involved this year at any level you can. Most important of all, register and vote.

Volunteering is also a great opportunity to bend the ears of the candidates toward your pet issues. Click the links at the end of the blog to see who you'd like to support.

One disturbing incident: as I was leaving and walking through the market, I encountered a couple of police officers (Officers Lovell and Sitwell, namely) harassing a man in a wheel chair who had no shoes and was carrying a sign claiming to be a veteran. I guess things haven't changed much, unfortunately, since I was homeless down in  the Rio Grande neighborhood. Homeless people are the sole targets of the police down there, and can do nothing right. They are harassed and vilified simply because they exist.

Come to find out, these officers are not even on duty, they are paid privately for market security.


Chief Burbank, what gives? Are people who are homeless or perceived to be homeless unwelcome at public events? 

If this type of activity concerns and disturbs you as much as it does me, contact  Salt Lake City Police here and tell them.

Here is an important and informative event being put on by KCPW and 4th Street Clinic:

Lastly, thanks to the vendor of Salt Lake Street News who was on the corner informing the public and making some pocket money. It's good to see this publication is still around, helping homeless people become more self-sufficient. When you see a vendor on the street, give up a buck to help them out.


Just a few issues and items I wanted to bring to attention. Until next time, enjoy the cooler weather, support and stand up for your rights, speak out and be visible, and try to avoid the predatory cops in the 'hood. 


-your editor


http://www.democrats.org/?nosplash=true

http://gop.com/


http://www.utahdemocrats.org/

http://utgop.org/index.asp

https://www.facebook.com/RepJimMatheson

https://www.facebook.com/BenForMayor

http://votebriscoe.com/about/

https://ec.volunteernow.com/custom/1374/

http://www.nasna.org/

http://www.street-papers.org/

If you would like your issues, efforts, and organizations to help the homeless featured here, e-mail to streetnewspaper@gmail.com.

Jobs, politics, budget, Homeless Hall of Shame

Unemployment is decreasing or holding steady at least. Some of our compatriots insist on making homeless people, and human beings as a whole, look like desperate, low-life criminals. Gratefully, as the lead story recounts, there are groups of people working to promote more positive images of homeless people. Our government seems determined to make things harder for those of us who struggle everyday to make ends meet. Although tax cuts for the richest people in our country were extended, those of us who depend upon what little assistance we get from social programs are footing the bill for the Wall Street bailout and continuing recession. By the end of this legislative session, we will have to make do with even less. The less fortunate have their quality of life diminished while the federal government plays party politics, and can’t even decide on a budget to run our country. Dispicable.

I’ve decided to add a new feature to RGR, called Homeless Hall of Shame. This includes links to stories about the less palatable news about certain of our homeless friends. I will still continue to present both sides of our case. Also a recap of how homeless people are using technology and social media to stay in touch and reconnect. Here are this weeks links:

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Changing faces of homelessness By Katie Drake The Salt Lake Tribune First published Mar 01 2011 09:05PM
Updated Mar 2, 2011 06:50PM “A group of Utah Valley University photography students are hoping to change whatever preconceived notions Utahns may have about the homeless... ”

Friday News Roundup: The Components of Homelessness  4th March 2011 written by Catherine An endhomlessness.org

Private Sector Adds Jobs; States And Cities Keep Cutting  npr.org

Community co-op helps families save money on groceries By Jed Boal, Deseret News  Published: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 4:15 p.m. MST

Proposed cuts to CDBG program worries Utah leaders

Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 3:44 p.m. MST By Jared Page , Deseret News

Homeless initiative creates extra room at overflow shelter March 4th, 2011 @ 5:12pm By Marjorie Cortez “For the first time in more than 12 years, not a single man was housed at The Road Home's overflow shelter in Midvale this winter.” VIDEO.

Homeless connecting with family, friends through social networking   Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6:32 p.m. MST By Andrew Adams, Deseret News

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Homeless Hall of Shame

Something that will change attitudes about homeless people more than anything else is a change in our behavior. Shame on these individuals who make all of us, not just homeless people, look bad:

Homeless man charged for biting officer, shattering window of patrol car  by Spencer Garn Deseret News Published: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 1:28 a.m. MST

Transient man charged in connection with Salt Lake City fatal stabbing, attempted rape

by Emiley Morgan Deseret News Published: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 4:19 p.m. MST

Charges filed in attack at Provo apartment complex

Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6:21 p.m. MST Deseret News

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Related Links:

The Road Home   Salt Lake City Mission/Salt lake Street News   Rescue Mission of Salt Lake   North American Street Newspaper Assoc.   National Coalition for the Homeless   National Coalition to End Homelessness

I want to thank Deseret News for covering homeless news items. This week at least, they far out-published The Salt Lake Tribune in this respect.

Until next time...

Stay real, stay sane, and stay out of trouble.

your editor