915 I St
Sacramento, CA 95814
USA
Since December 9th 2014 the Community Dinner Project (a group of concerned citizens and volunteers who are working on building a more unified, compassionate and just community), have fed the hungry, distributed needed clothing and toiletries, and provided other assistance to them as needed or requested, in front of Sacramento City Hall every week. We feed around 75-130 people a week! The homeless people who line up and gather near City Hall, are fed a nutritious organic meal by the volunteers, who by feeding said homeless people, are in violation of a local ordinance that criminalizes said feeding. The local ordinance requires a permit to feed that costs over $300.00. This is a sum that exceeds the financial wherewithal of many people and groups, but more importantly, places an inhumane financial burden regarding people in need.
Following the healthy organic meal, a number of concerned citizens and some of the homeless people themselves, enter City Hall to address the city council during their weekly meetings to discuss issues of homelessness and the effects on their lives. We all have been vigilantly advocating for the repeal of the anti-homeless laws in Sacramento (especially the unlawful camping ordinance), and standing in solidarity to discuss and bring to the forefront other important community issues (police brutality, Black Lives Matter, Nestle’ water profiteering, the right to grow your own food (urban gardening), reopening the city park bathrooms, more effort towards housing first (rapid rehousing), raising the minimum wage, and more affordable housing, etc. We believe that by uplifting those who have been ignored by society with healthy food, a positive environment, and a supportive group to help them find a voice to speak out against injustice, we can help usher in a more unified and compassionate City of Sacramento!
On August 6, 2015 the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), issued a statement of interest concerning a federal case over a camping ordinance in Boise, Idaho. In this case, seven individuals are suing the city over their conviction for the “crime” of camping. This case has been ongoing for over two years, and now the Obama administration has weighed in stating that the ordinance in question violates the 8th Amendment of the Constitution of The United States! This is a significant decision regarding the issue of homelessness in our country and we think that the time is ripe to press the City of Sacramento to undo its draconian ordinance that criminalizes homelessness and the right to feed the homeless.
There is also an advisory statement released by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. This statement was to advise communities to stop breaking up homeless encampments. Their reasoning was it makes building productive relationships harder, which in turn makes getting people connected to services to help them get off the streets.
Then there is HUD. In coming months, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is expected to ask local homeless services officials to educate their communities against criminalization ordinances. Communities who do not comply will risk losing funding!!
In light of the federal governments stance, and the fact that we have been advocating for the repeal of our local camping ordinance, on December 8th, We (@Community Dinner Project) intend to occupy Sacramento City Hall to demand that City Council repeal the Unlawful Camping Ordinance.
Please join us in ending this assault on our fellow human beings and rather than punish those less fortunate, let us be a model city and demonstrate caring and compassion, and social justice for all and find more sustainable solutions for homeless people.
There are three levels of support we are asking for:
First, is to agree that the city should repeal, or place a moratorium on, the unlawful camping ordinance. This simply entails calling, writing, or emailing your council member to let them know you do not want your tax dollars (which is in the millions here in Sacramento) spent on criminalizing homelessness, and would prefer the city take a more active role with rapid rehousing!
Second, is as an active supporter which would include helping with supplies or food, coming down to talk with those who are occupying, jail support if necessary, etc.
Third, is to join the occupation by camping with us, and others, on the lawn at city hall, which is the civil disobedience portion.
http://www.latimes.com/