November, 2006

Fresno's homeless and supporters speak out

Rev. Floyd Harris, California State president of the National Action Network (right) is among Fresno activists challenging the police attacks on the homeless. PHOTO/MIKE RHODES

Editor's note: There are an estimated 4,400 to 8,800 homeless people in the Fresno area. Shelter is available to only 1.4 percent of the homeless.

"I was born in Madera almost 60 years ago. I attended several colleges. I have had a variety of professional jobs. I lost my job (and therefore my home) after my father died. I earn money repairing bicycles, and the city took two bicycles that belonged to me and threw them in a dumpster. The city also took my tent and all my bedding. I got sick as a result of being out in the rain without shelter."
-- Cynthia Marie Greene, a homeless person who testified about the city's bulldozing of their property

"The city cannot seize and destroy someone's property just because they are homeless. The Constitution does not allow it."
-- Paul Alexander, a law partner at Heller Ehrman LLP