City of Houston Attacks the Homeless (& actions you can take..)

[lostnfound]

Actions you can take
1. Vigil with homeless from 7 am - 9 am this morning (Wed)-- police had indicated today's the day they will be evicted(arrested)
2. Fax or email to the Midtown Management District which seems to be behind this forced removal of homeless from downtown
3. Protest at the Midtown Management District board meeting today (Wed) at 11 am at 3401 Louisiana, Suite 355
4. Contact City Council and/or mayor to advocate treatment of homeless with respect
5. Attend, and possibly speak, in support of the rights of homeless people at next Tuesday's City Council meeting (Call ahead to reserve time to speak)

City of Houston / Midtown Management District Attacks the Homeless

A Houston Police car came to the 2000 block of Main under the Pierce elevated this morning at 8:30am to tell the people living under the bridge that staying under the bridge is trespassing, and that the police will enforce the law in the future. When asked by an IMC reporter: "It might change to a point where you're actually telling people that they can't be here at all?" an HPD officer answered "that's what it's getting to the point of, it's gone beyond that." The cops described themselves as "only doing their jobs", and placed blame on the city for evicting people into the cold and rain. With activists there, the cops were talkative and restrained, but still threatened "we're gonna leave and come back, but we'll come back a little different."

For years Houston Food Not Bombs has served meals to the homeless, currently 4 times a week, and countless other organizations distribute food, clothes, blankets or look for day-workers under Pierce elevated. In recent weeks, several homeless have been beaten by cops, and ticketed for sleeping past 7am. The eviction, first anticipated in December, is expected to happen tommorow, Wednesday morning around 7am. Activists plan to be there in solidarity and will be working on long term plans tonight, Tuesday evening at 9:00pm (both meetings are at Main and Pierce and are open to the community).
According to a city map found on the Harris County Appraisal District website, a relatively new group, called Midtown Management District is responsible for this area under the Pierce elevated. This Wednesday at 11:00 am is their Board Meeting at 3401 Louisiana, Suite 355 Houston TX 77002.

[lostnfound]

1. Short video clips worth watching

http://houston.indymedia.org/news/2005/02/37127.php

[Sandpiper]

2. Harrassing the homeless is a favorite sport of police everywhere

I somehow doubt that the Houston PD needed much prodding.

[lostnfound]

3. An update to story

can be found at http://houston.indymedia.org/ and at http://houston.indymedia.org/news/2005/02/37142_comment.php#37183

Worth noting, this morning a TV reporter who went to the location actually called the police with a charge of public urination against a homeless man.

Houston activists stood up for these people, getting advice from the ACLU last night and showing up this morning to convince the police not to force the homeless to move. (They were not breaking any law and had a right to be there on public property, according to the ACLU.) Many TV & print media people showed up this morning and filmed what was happening.

[slutticus]

4. Damn

There are A LOT of homeless people that live under that overpass.

Where the hell do they expect these people to go?