November, 2006

A Victory for the Homeless in Fresno

Fresno Police Officer Rey Wallace fights with community activist Liza Apper as he attempts to destroy a shopping cart and all of the possessions inside. PHOTO/MIKE RHODES

The City of Fresno, California, was issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on October 17 that will stop them from seizing and destroying poor peoples' property, and from using bulldozers to destroy homeless encampments. Judge Wanger said that he did not think the police should be deciding what was valuable property or not. He said "one man's treasure is another man's junk."

There were several homeless people in the Federal Courtroom, when the TRO was issued. They were all excited to have won a victory in this struggle for their civil rights. As news of the victory spread to the homeless encampments in downtown Fresno, it brought hope and encouragement to those who have suffered by the city's relentless attacks.

Community activists and the homeless are organizing events to draw attention to conditions in Fresno. An event of over 100 people at Fresno City Hall was primarily organized by Rev. Floyd Harris, California State president of the National Action Network. Rev. Harris led a prayer which was followed by a short Native American ceremony and song. This was followed by the entire group singing "This Land is Your Land."

Excerpted from a longer article by Mike Rhodes, editor of the Community Alliance newspaper, http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home/.