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Duluth Turns Out in Oppositon to Proposals to Criminalize Homelessness

The City of Duluth has proposed a series of ordinances, which if passed, would further criminalize being homeless, as well as allow for the city to shut down the Gaza protest encampment in front of City Hall.  The City announced its plans at a press conference on July 9.  The ordinances were subsequently proposed to the City Council on July 15 by Councilor Tara Swenson.  It is believed they may be voted on as soon as the July 29 Council meeting.

While Mayor Reinert's administration, and their supporters on the Council, are trying to frame their initiative as a benevolent package to improve public safety, what they really are is a grab bag of reactionary proposals  to further criminalize being homeless, as well as various forms of protest.

  

And judging by the turnout at the July 15 Council meeting, very few are falling for the Mayor's attempt to whitewash this reactionary move.  Almost 200 people turned out to show their opposition (100 crammed into the Council chambers itself, with another 75 in the hallway unable to fit in and two dozen outside in the Gaza protest encampment) - an historic turnout for a matter before the Council!  So many folks lined up for the public comment section of the meeting that it went from 7pm until 10:30pm.

Among the speakers were numerous representatives of the various groups and non-profits who work on the city's housing crisis, who were outraged at not being consulted by the City on these proposed changes.  Immediately prior to the July 15 Council meetings, these groups issued an open letter to the mayor stating their grave concerns.  Among the groups that signed on were CHUM, Union Gospel Mission, Safe Haven, 1 Roof, Damiano Center, Loaves & Fishes, AICHO, Arc Northland, Center City Housing, MN Coalition for the Homeless, Center for Alchohol & Drug Treatment, Life House, Bob Tavani Medical Respite House and Harm Reduction Sisters.

Also speaking were various clergy, Gaza solidarity activists and community activists.  But the most powerful speakers were the folks experiencing homelessness themselves.  

Only three people spoke in favor, and the only organization present in support of the ordinances was the Chamber of Commerce.

We want to thank everyone who turned out on July 15, and a special thank you to the organizers and the speakers!  We urge folks to turn out again at the next City Council on July 29.  It will start at 7pm and will be held in the Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of City Hall.  If you'd like to speak at it, get there a little early and sign up on the sing up sheet in the front of the Council Chambers.

We also urge folks to familiarize themselves with the actual reactionary proposals.  Here are links to each of the proposed ordinances:

1. Ordinance to redefine abandoned property

2. Ordinance to change the language and establish disturbing the neighborhood as a misdemeanor offense and modifying language for false soliciting

3. Ordinance to amend the definition of graffiti and establish defacement and/or possession of graffiti implements as a misdemeanor

4. Ordinance prohibiting camping on city property

5. Ordinance amending the city code to make violations applicable on publicly owned property and make certain violations misdemeanors

6. Ordinance making defacing the skywalk a misdemeanor and prohibiting smoking or vaping in the skywalk

7. Ordinance amending the city code to make blocking passage on streets and sidewalks, as well as operating an ATV unlawfully on public land, a misdemeanor

8. Ordinance amending the city code to make it a misdemeanor to unlawfully posses or fire an airgun or gel soft gun

9. Ordinance to update the city ordinances on open burning and tent and membrane structures

10. Ordinance prohibiting marking or placing signs on Priley Fountain

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