Petition for City of Portland to Adopt a Compassionate Response to Homelessness

An image of a no-camping notice, evidence of a homeless camp sweep by Portland police as of August 7, 2018 from @pdxlawgrrrl on Twitter

A petition started by Elliott Young (@elliottyoungpdx) and co-sponsored by institutions including, and not limited to, Portland Civil Rights Law Office, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA-Portland), Oregon Justice Resource Center (OJRC), Don't Shoot Portland, Portland's Resistance, and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Portland, Oregon was started to address not only the homeless crisis in Portland, but the inhumane way those affected are being treated by Portland police. The petition argues that hiring more police to target the issue is not the solution, instead targeting a vulnerable population and diverging needed police resources. The petition is targeted towards Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and City Council with a list of demands including:

• end the targeting of homeless people by the Portland Police.

• reduce the number of police and use the savings to increase access to transitional and permanent affordable housing, and mental health and addiction services.

• allow self-governing camps organized by unhoused people to address needs for shelter, community, and safety.  

The petition was started one month ago and currently has 3,394 signatures and is aiming for 5,000. 

Violet Burell

August 18, 2018