Rainy Winter day in Tucson

It was early morning or late night, I could tell, there were no stars or moon. The love of my life was sleeping peacefully. Some neighboring coyotes named Brock and Luna were nestling around. I had been woken by the rain drops falling on my blankets over my ears. They had gotten harder and closer between the drops. I thought to myself looking around if we should move to higher ground or cover. The walk would be 10 minutes, we would have to pack everything up. I laid down hoping to not waking the beautiful woman next to me. At that point I heard thunder in the distance and no mountains on the horizon. Very noticeable with them being 7000+ feet. The ground was moist, the blankets damp. The smell of fluoride in the air had been replaced with a fresh water scent. Like most night there were helicopters above, I could here anywhere from 3-5 of them, from near by Davis Monthan Air Base, the neighboring hospitals and so on. Holiday light flashed on and off trying to spread the holiday cheer not being felt by those out side in the cold. So I made the decision and woke my love up, we quickly packed up and moved to the nearest place we could find a dry spot. There we were surrounded by traffic and flood lights, no trespassing signs, not a very welcoming spot, but its dry and worth a good night sleep, even if it means a cop giving us a ticket.

These were are options a sidewalk where anything can happen on a given night, a tunnel, an alley or hidden. The space although not inviting , was warm, dry, and the gray brick was only comforting to us with the help of two blankets. The rain hit hart , the rain picked up, other who had been in the area also began to gather. We woke up late, we headed to hide our stuff in the Coyote Javelina Public storage that we had dubbed our daytime hiding spot. The to Sister Jose's a place for women to get a coffee, a bite of toast, sometimes laundry and clean up. I went to Saint Vincent to get a pair of clothes, then to a near by houseless walk in center for pain medication. The rain started to come down again, this time in a drizzle. I sat there for a while, waiting for my love to appear through the gates, my stomach rumbling. Thinking back, thanks to the rain my blankets probably wouldn't have the white ponder from the crop dusting planes whose powder when falling to your lips taste sweet and metallic.

We walk slowly through the rain, past the houses all looking rustic and colorful, not surprising in a historical neighborhood, which reads quietly no poor people allowed. As we get closer to downtown the energy changes to a gloom as recent events has cause a hamper on the houseless community. People greet us and want to talk about how its continuing. We march forward wishing for a spot to be alone, we also march for a quick cheap filler of food. Anything you can fill up on for the day on less than $4 if you want to make it through the month. If you have higher food quality and nutrients, this is not the state for you. This is a food desert brought to you by Monsanto. There they are again the helicopters flying over again. As I look white thin lined clouds appear in the air. I get some chips and a chicken wrap. Yum. We look for a place to sit. Its still raining so we want a place dry. No where to be found out side. I think back on whether our blankets are okay, still laying in Public Storage, not insulated greatly from the drizzle. We head for the library, the savior of the houseless population in Arizona come hot summer sun or cold rainy winter days. A place to get online, learn a hobby or read a book.

The hard part about getting a hobby, is you have no funds, you have no resources so you need to use what ever is at your disposable. A paper , a pencil, maybe your food wrappers. A question forms in my head , how is it with what you can carry on your person, maybe $15 at most, and access to a computer 4 hours a day, and a piece of scrap paper or a golf pencil, how is it you can make a living for your self. How can you make yourself presentable for a job interview if you are working with limited donated clothes, most not even close to work casual. You can walk a mile and get some food, not necessarily healthy, not even close, most not even filling, you can walk a mile and get hygiene items or clothes a shower is still a miracle at the most more than twice a week. Most using a restaurant bathroom or a public fountain. Today I fell tired, not filling like I have a chance to change the world when I cant stop the crop dusting or making see the mass population know that we don't have places to sleep legally, we don't have a place to clean up, we want healthy food choices not slop as Tom puts it. We deserve this because its a human right, we need equal buying power, to have constant government and private sector restrictions on us.

Why we need to listen.

It is often said we need to hear twice as much we talk because that's why we have two ears and one jabber. But have we really adhered to this advice? The wide range of information and media out there overloads us with information, mostly to the point of view of someone else's agenda. We see people suffering each day, we see the lines going around the block for food, and other services being offered to the houseless but we just see it as another distraction on the way to work, much like a billboard sign or a speed limit sign. But what are the stories of those handing out the food or other items and those receiving them? Where you may ask is the government who widely talks about such things, and what are the names of these people? Are there holes in the system?

When speaking to other generations we hear about how neighborhoods would come out and feed and wash the feet of the houseless in the area, local stores would not let you leave empty handed because you had two dollars, the YMCA provided shelter to travelers as did Hostels for a low price. The elderly were cared for by the youth and parents allowed their kids to stay in the home until marriage. A experienced journeyman in any number of trades would mentor someone into receiving their trade, companies would move you up getting you training in skills they needed. The government would not run off a person down on their luck but help them. The government seeing someone is no longer able to do their trade or career because of a lack of jobs in that market or medical issues would retrain you in another. An employer listened to demands of their workers, gave holiday bonuses and better pay. Because of this more people succeeded, less people suffered. Now that is not to say that many did not see this or experience this because of the high prejudice then, because they did, and now we treat every one under the Jim Crow flag now. We dictate and walk away, not hearing the words others have, this has left many no longer wishing to be apart of something.

This we know that we do not help the houseless because we believe the stereotypes we have seen and heard about them, The same reason we become cautious when around those out of our comfort zone. We pay not attention to the person who is the symptom of the bigger problem. We consider that public transportation costs we face shouldn't be raised because we cant afford it. We don't consider that many already are excluded from the privilege because they don't have money. We don't consider that a business license costs more than a monthly pass. If we cant afford the bus pass we surely cant afford to purchase the things that will help us move up the ladder. We see boy scouts helping folks, but why not the homeless, is there something we don't see? If so we must listen, for the reason why. If we do not hear the complaints of those under us we cannot serve them appropriately. If we allow the government to not hear certain populations of our citizenry then, we will not be heard, we are will live in a place of judicial anarchy, we will have roaming thugs, and will have open communication change to open violence, the rights and traditions of America is the defining idea that makes us different than many other countries.

If we do not understand how our thinking, action, and decisions effect those around us, than we will not be able to make the change we want, we will not be able to work together. It is not on those speaking to judge their behavior as okay, but judgement is in the hand of those on the receiving end. Everyday we hear words, but actions lack. Models are created but not finished. Its then on each of us to be the peacekeepers, the referees and the bigger person. Not holding yourself accountable is the first step to the path we do not want, the first step by any entrepreneur or activist is to see where the missing pieces of the puzzle are and provide that to the community. The difference is one does it for justice, the other does it for profit, both help and hinder in their one way. Both create jobs, one gives equal footing, the other provide financial opportunity. Together collaborated they can create a direct action benefiting and changing the conversation and create good government where no government is acting on the cause. because the country is for the people by the people , represented by the people, citizen direct action is good government, what you see in Detroit, Ferguson, and other places is bad government, one that makes its own rules, responsible to no one, and considers no one. Proof that government and community are only reflections of each of us, and in that we must change, each becoming better listeners, better providers, better neighbors. Not being irritated by a loud neighbor but considering the reason the neighbor does such things. A man left out in the cold, viewing others inside and warm , may get loud and disruptive, but the answer is not removing him or criminalizing him, but making sure he is warm, Just as if someone is not presentable for a job interview, it not that they are not a good fit for your business, but a bad economic situation they are in, unable to change that because the resources are lacking. Further a lack of communication has never brought peace to any war torn country or between two countries so how do we feel it will have a positive therapeutic effect on our relationships? We must listen, consider, and hear others to move ahead, there lies the cause of misunderstanding, a lack of trust and many other pillars we build relationship on including respect for our fellow human.
Thank you for reading, please leave me your thoughts, I will respond back to any questions. Please share with a friend.

The need for a National Homeless Rights Bill

In a time , when the economy has gotten week, the wealth of the nation is in the hands of few and located far and wide from those without it. When the Supreme Court has made money free speech, easy overtaking a crowds voice on any platform. When the Supreme Court has said that citizens rights are not limited to a school, a home, a church, a business, or any other private, public or combined partnership, then we are to state and expect that those same constitutional rights flow out of the buildings , into the sidewalks, the parks, and any place that people may wonder.  It because the call to action for those with limited to no resources that suffer the most with the decisions made by those on wall street, by those on capital hill and those in state and local governments everywhere, to state that they have the right to exist, without strings attached, without having to jump through hoops, to be able to live the american dream without harassment of the government or having to find a way to invest in a oligarchy market place, especially when the constitution states all are to be treated equal without naming finances or property ownership as a stipulation.

Such a bill does not need money, but state the houseless have a right to travel, rest, protect themselves from weather, use public spaces for storage, relieve themselves without embarrassment or harassment when no other options are readily available without strings attached, that one can conduct business without harassment from the government, that one can use public utilities to perform proper hygiene that the government and business community asks for as long as they can privatize or secure that space from others interrupting.

5 states have already passed such bills, and those suffering economic hardships are requesting the same rights as their fellow Americans. How great would it be to once again live in a country where the poorest citizen and the richest citizen are offered the same opportunity. One because they have the right and can afford to , the other because they have the right and shouldn't have to be turned away because they couldn't.

Is this not the america we not , from the purple mountains magi-sty, to the prairies, from sea to shiny sea, or shall we continue to not really understand the constitution and burn it to the ground and handcuff the states and continue to sell out our own people? This nation is founded by the people for the people, governed for the people. help those recover who want out and allow those to survive that no longer wish to partake in a system not working for them.   As long as the government hides from this issue, turns its back, what more shall the people and businesses do, if the government endorses suffering, restriction, criminalization, abuse and war on these people, but more of the same or more. As Americans we must say enough is enough and allow this growing population to exist, but also to on their own accord without restraint, or payment allow them proper space to do so, with property and space belonging to the community. To do business with their natural or educated strengths with paying with money or resources they don't have. To be able to receive help without being taken advantage of, and being able to do these things with access to the courts at no charge should their rights be violated and they need the government to enforce the task. Where it because a crime for law enforcement not to protect their rights. As in all 50 states its a felony to harm someone because they are a criminal or because they are a government official but no such law is in place to protect those who are abuse, neglected or bullied because they live outside, may not appear professional, lack resources, making them easy prey.

We all would think the Constitution already gives these and other rights to everyone, but right now 200+ years into the experiment we have in this country, we have seen the social safety net Roosevelt started become limited to food and healthcare. It does not account for the persons desire to leave debt behind and work for themselves, The safety net didn't have any right for one providing themselves with shelter, the right to not be force or kidnapped by the government to go into a program where poverty pimps get rich off the idea they can temporarily help you but offer no real permanent solutions.

 Further the government does not have the time or resources to actually no how many people are in this population , more and more the fight against those impoverished drive them further into the shadows, into prisons and the black market. Many of the immigrants,  those of none traditional relationships, wards of the state, and minorities are the most affected as our the vets we left behind after teaching them to kill for us over resources. This is the disfranchised and silenced population in america, where their greatest chance of being heard is not by local or nation media but Al Jareera! It because it's apparent that with a greater gap between the poor and the wealthy, the none existent middle class, the out of control corporations and the hijacked government, that we not need to stand with the houseless and publicly endorse their right to survive and make a pursuit of happiness like any other of us.

 Otherwise the more laws that are passed to violate the rights of the least of us, brings more gentrification. It was when Europe didn't care for the Jewish Peoples rights that everyone else rights were removed , so now we face this same thing here on a more hidden way. You see someone for a few days , a few weeks, then they disappear. When the houseless,working poor, middle class and wealthy see that we are all people , and there is a mysterious glass ceiling keeping us all down, we can rise to true freedom, gain control back and prosperous once again. So speak to your congressman, to your senator , and your friends about the need to provide the horseless with a bill of rights that protects their survival and their right to live, acquire property, an income, and the ability to survive and exist in our communities. Domestic refugees, and urban nomads we shall be no more. For more information friend Joanna Nordness on facebook who wrote the National Houseless Bill of Rights!

Housing First Model: what you are not being told

Have you heard of the term Poverty Pimping? Its a term in Tucson to describe people who enrich themselves while keeping those they serve suffering; stuck in a revolving door. This may be a shelter anon profit, or a lobbyist group. One friend that is close to me, states how Ann Rand calls such people looters. For example you have the tucson pima collaboration to end homelessness. They receive $125 million a year to end homelessness, thus made up of mental health organizations, homeless shelters, etc. 85% of those working own a house, a car, the people running such organizations have several houses and several cars. The Dallas Fort Worth version gets $195 million each year. mean while 7800 people remain homeless in pima county, 5000 in Dallas. In Tucson there are 400 beds available and the P.T.C.H., refers people they cant help to a Downtown Park.

Meanwhile laundry services, showers, transportation and bathrooms are not provided to those living outside. The newest sale is the housing first model, that according to reports is leading states like Utah to en homelessness by 2015, months aways. According to other sources, outreach workers have never seen more than now. This housing first model places those who qualify (disabled, vets, addicts, domestic violence victims, etc) into an apartment, and given a social worker and other team members to assist them in their success. To the casual observer, this seems awesome, and the math shows its cheaper than criminalizing and herding them from one place to another. 

In fact, the simple things like a bus pass, furniture, cooking utensils, toiletries and laundry are still not provided. Most homeless who are dressed based on donations, still be unemployable, because the clothes are faded, worn, or don't match causing them to be seen as unprofessional. Many times they are moved where other homeless hang out, where resources are easy to get, placing them in housing miles away, offers them a loss in social relationships, and farther from the places where they gathered food, work, showers, hygiene, etc. To get anywhere they must walk from one side of town to another. Maybe easy for you or me, but for a special needs client, it can be a death sentence , especially in the Arizona Desert heat. When you are on the streets, who easily in your sleep know the difference between good sounds and bad, no sounds is weary, this changes in an apartment. You have perfect quietness, no good sounds no bad sounds. An uneasiness develops, the other thing is you remember your friends that are still suffering, outside, unprotected by the elements. You feel like you are turning your back on them, rather than making it easier for the next, you have followed the rest who received help and turned your back, Many who aid their friends get evicted as having someone sleep over is a violation of the program. In the end, we see many gaps in the new housing first pitch, we can see why many are not making it thru.

Meanwhile the guy who doesn't fit a qualifying diagnosis is either left on the street with no one to help him or bullied by the organizations to say they are something they are not. We as a society have created special concessions to help those with special needs, but the person who needs and wants work, is turned aways. This being your hidden homeless. Each night the employees head back to their warm homes, knowing they changed little. In places like Oregon, Washington, San Jose, Utah, Tucson, Madison and other cities the homeless are fighting back, they are getting involved in direct actions, setting up their own tent city's, tiny home villages and other things to aid the homeless ran by the homeless on budgets of $15-50K a year, and making a much bigger dent in the homeless population than the Poverty Pimps that now run social assistance programs around the country , charging tax payers more and more. 

Ibrahim Bilal Mubarak founder of Right to Dream in Portland, states home is where your heart is, if you call people homeless, you call people heartless. At Safe Park last, year, nobody there or in any shelter had blankets because of the government shut down. We had thousands of people unable to stay warm, Safe Park Co-Founders Jon McLane and myself, did a social media blanket drive, supporters Like the Tribe Tucson, Maria Rice, and Danielle Mireté answered the call delivering blankets to hundreds of men, women and children. This year we are organizing two events . https://www.facebook.com/events/313373248861907/ known as the Homeless Backpack Challenge, and the Central City Assembly Thanksgiving Dinner. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e4ca4ab2fa20-thanksgiving. Activism is the place where all voices will be heard, and where ideas become direct action. Its the place of social justice, which is the opposite of poverty. Where all donations go to the people who need it the most, and nobody is hoarding for them selves, where no one enriches off the suffering of others. Thank you for reading , please subscribe.

day of a homeless activist

This morning I woke up, to muscle pain, not enough cushion and had slept on my arm, making it all numb. Out side I could here the drizzle of the rain that had fell. Still rolling off the roof. Mosquito had grown by numbers. A good 30 mosquito staring down at me like a t-bone steak hot off the grill. I walk out and down the side of the property to the porta pottie. I notice all fellow members had already left. I gather my things and Leave. I walk a block south to the South side Presbyterian Church , for a pear of clean clothes and breakfast. There our also showers offered on Mondays and Fridays. I quickly am spotted by a few friends. One is a homeless mechanic, works low wages and helps with the family business. The other is one of the coolest people you would meet on the streets. I also see more and more, most wet, talking about the wet and adventurous nite. For breakfast they have BBQ chicken, mac and cheese, cheese enchiladas, salad and soup. They Also offer water, juice and coffee(the crowd favorite).

The building has a old southwest flair, you walk inside and it seem like a much older time period. Litely coated, but rough to the touch. There are a few tall rugged crosses, where you can imagine the pain of anyone placed there. Jesus a peaceful man, homeless, preaching love. A good reason why the homeless may not be liked, because some great men in that circumstance really rippled the system. On the outside bold statements of where the church stands on issues, as if warning those who seeking a friend or an enemy to keep a distance from. Any many ways my friends and I are in safe refuge.

Doug is one of the leads, the ministry is offered threw the use of volunteers, many are those on the street. Either wanting to be part of something positive, trying to maintain a resource, or community service ordered by the court.

I have a few conversations, a few are about where our Safe Park Dream Center stands. I then head out on my way back to the dream center. I am met at the gate by another person staying there. He offers to only let me in if I do his chores. I tell him no, and thats not the way to use authority. He goes his way. I sit there for 30 minutes, until another with a key lets me in. I put my stuff away and head out.

I walk to the downtown library, this is a 15 minute walk. Along the way I see a friend heading in the same direction. He is in a rough spot. Upon getting to downtown, he is doing better and heads a different way. I get to the library, quickly ambushed. One person needing a phone, one needing help with id, another needing someone to talk too, because kicking a habit is too much. Another hasn't ate in a few days. Another needs to know about housing, another needs to find a place to hide her stuff.

Online and in the library, I check my email, Facebook. Nothing new or surprising. I did see some funny stuff, I shared a few articles. I want to post a blog, got a few ideas but writers block is in high drive. I then head over to fourth ave, a road that is the party in this city, there another community of homeless live. I am heading up to meet with them, see what their needs are, their current struggles, maybe we can come up with solutions.  Eerie part is the sidewalks are empty, even the nicks and cranny's where they camouflage to hide in the crowds. I see one, see is getting ready to set up shop, she normal sells prints of her art there on the sidewalk, he significant other Mike, is down the way, playing those old classic rock songs like no other. A few more snacking on some ice cream at dairy queen.

Then up ahead, some cops lights on, surrounding some homeless homies on the sidewalk. It appears they have some train hoppers, they are conversing, joking with them running their identifications, asking them their business here and where they came from. They are dirty, patches on their clothes, backpacks all bundled up , instruments in hand. They write them tickets for sitting on the sidewalk, they let them know they can play music but need to get a permit, they can play music but they have to stand up and do it. The can play music but not in front of these businesses.
I continue on, I see a business owner hand out some dog food to some homeless homies with pets, I see a elderly man, who should have no problem getting elderly assistance, tell me he hopes for a bigger crowd so he doesn't have to spend another night in the rain. His sign says jokes for a buck, songs free to give luck.
I see another, he is cleaned up, he has new clothes, a girl on his arm. He explains after 5 years he finally got housing, he is doing good, and now trying to start a business with help from his family. He humbly, gives credit to us co founders at safe park, spending time with him, to see what he needs, and being there without judgement, so he has a place to be when his choices weren't the best.

I spend some time with him, loving the good news, makes everything worth it. The nights in the rain, the days in jail, the blistering Arizona sun. I get a call, and meet that person for lunch, from there we go to a meeting, then to meet with a sponsor. Then online to do paper work.
This is the day of a homeless activist, a day of what others call a cultural worker. Welcome!

Love and hate for rain.

You are on the streets, enjoying life with what you can. Health, liberty to travel as far as your feet or limited funds will allow, decent health, and friendship. Material items are all but void, leaving you with a pair or two of clothes, a backpack, maybe a tent or a blanket if available.

You have heard talk about the possibility of rain, this excites you as its a break from the hot sun, that already burnt your skin all summer. At the same time you hope its not at night, knowing that you sleep with no ceiling. All of a sudden, everyone's life line phone goes off, warning that the rumored storm is minutes away. Your choices is under a bridge, under a building Ramada, or maybe a buddy's house.

The bridge may turn into a waterfall, the Ramada may lead to a trespassing charge, the buddy works for a living and may not be home or may have company. You got minutes.

The rain comes it fees cool on your skin, the air is refreshed , easier to breathe now that the smog is removed. You got a natural shower, the universe has you taken care of. The wetter you get, the more uncomfortable. Feeling soggy, cold and no way to stop it, your blankets are a wet sponge, mosquito arrive out of nowhere. Humid you feel, you ty to slumber, but water travels across your face, the rain drops fall in your ear.

Maybe you risked the Ramada you are dry, but you don't know for how long, you see bike cops on the horizon, a good paranoia comes across your mind, and your nerves are on alert. Worse case scenario, you got a way out of the rain, a nice walk back to the area you stay in, court dates and community service. They come over they start casual conversation, they joke a little, then they ask if they can see your id. They ask if you got warrants, that ask what you are doing here. You are sure whether telling them you are trying to sleep and if can leave you be, will go over well.

No matter the choice you make, the next day the people who work in the area don't notice, how you have changed, they do notice they see alot less people.Your stuff is still soaked, its not warm enough to hang dry, you now have to consider, whether to start finding new gear or risk, mold, mildew ,etc. Is this the safety net in place, that america has to make sure, all of its people are secure? 

A friend of mine named Robert, believes most people are truly educated on why homeless live and do the things they do. He is in the process of putting together a leaflet that can be handed out, giving answers to the top 11 questions homeless persons get. 

In a place where we spend billions of dollars on infrastructure, shouldn't the least of us be able to have access to shelter? 

Hidden from view

Have you ever walked a path each day and seen the homeless? Of course you have, because 1 out of every 237 people in Tucson are homeless and this number is rising. Could this be you or one you love?

I believe so because its happened to me and many people I have known. Some came quietly, not letting others know they were in financial trouble, others were more emotionally unstable. Still they ended up where no one wants to be. Yes some might argue they like the lifestyle or they choose not to be in a shelter. But once you experienced it, you gain courage and knowledge. At the same time we our taught to focus on our selves and not others.

William Kunsler once said" And that is the terrible myth of organized society, that everything that’s done through the established system is legal – and that word has a powerful psychological impact. It makes people believe that there is an order to life, and an order to a system, and that a person that goes through this order and is convicted, has gotten all that is due him. And therefore society can turn its conscience off, and look to other things and other times."

But a few months ago I spent two weeks in jail for protesting on the sidewalk charged with sitting on the sidewalk. My cell mate had just signed a plea bargain for Manslaughter. While you might say the act was heiness, that is not something I would ague, this young man 19 years of age, was easy going, a lover and wise man. But in a second of fury, he had done the unimaginable, that will cost him 14 years of his life and cause him to live in poverty or go back behind prison. To place a homeless activist in jail over protesting , then placing him with a murderer , while being prosecuted over a misdemeanor is unbelievable. Worse for safeties sake, was the jail was so understaffed that one officer over saw 4 housing units. He or she, could be gone for up to 2 hours or more. If you had a family member there with health problems, the jail staff would not know for 2 hours. That means a heart attack, stroke or major injury would go unattended for hours. A simply " I'm sorry would be offered for the jail" Most in the community would say well that's what happens when you decide to break the law. Yet the person might be a political prisoner of the government for drawing attention to an issue its not helping with. It could be a mentally ill person, who never knew that was in his or her DNA. It could be a innocent person falsely accused. Either way, it is an unsafe environment. You are in a place where you have no control, you have limited communication with the outside world. Yet we take a blind eye, because what is legal is justified and we need to worry about other priorities. But where is the homeless person you used to always see? Did he move on or is he locked up because he couldn't find a safe place to sleep, bathe, or use the restroom? Shall we be a society that says its ok to lock someone up for free speak or doing a basic human behavior in public, when no other choice was given? We all have been guilty of seeking a dark corner at some point. Whether its parting downtown, on a long road trip, or we got a surprise case of the runs.

Yet while in Video Court , they had a blind elderly man locked up for interfering with traffic. He was not allowed any stick or assistance with walking. The guards scolded him for not staying in line and veering off. They scolded inmates for assisting him. Day after day he had to remind the guards. Yet in court the judge asked him if he could see him on camera. He told the judge no, The judge asked again. He said no because I'm blind. The judge asked him to speak into the mic because he couldn't see it. He reached around, only to be scolded by the guard. The judge told he since he probably doesn't want to stay in jail, he is willing to offer him 35 hours of community service to plead guilty to the charge. He told the judge that he was trying to cross the road to get to Savvy. A non profit that helps the visually impaired. That people started honking at him, He moved only to get honked at more. Nobody got out to communicate with him. The officers arrested him immediately. He did not mean to get in anyone's way. The judge apologized and said he should take the deal, there is no other recourse. The man had no legal council. Under the law, if you are charged with a misdemeanor and the prosecution isn't asking for jail time you cannot be given a public defender. In jail, it can take a week to put your booking number into the phone system. To get around that you need to ask the guard for the universal number to use. You can't do that under lock down in a unsupervised setting. To think that this man had been arrested by one police agency, booked and process by the sheriffs department and convicted by the courts without consideration to his handicapped or a chance to meet with a lawyer is not justice. Its a money racket. Something we need to give priority to. I would not wish my jail experience on anyone.

But what am I to say about a state that criminalized gender orientation, colored skin, and poverty? Should I agree to live in the shadows, with my fellow refugees? Because I am persecuted by my government, just as they left your old home for what they thought was a better one here? Should I be the silent to such tyranny and social injustice? Or should I like Jesus, Gandhi and Buddha, Abbie Hoffman, speak up and show a better way? We are called to bear a light on the shadows of society of we are going to make it better. We can only know what is in the black market by welcoming the hidden jewels in it, while casting down the bad parts. As a motto goes " house keys not handcuffs". Offer acceptance to people not behaviors. Offer a economy that helps as many as possible. To make people matter we must speak up and act or become the statistic that we are reading. Be afraid not of asking for help, do not be shy to help. Be the missing piece of the puzzle. Teach what you know to another, and see how your life changes.

The lack of privacy of homeless life.

 I once told people that the only difference between those in homes and those homeless was the privacy of four walls. This is true, but also lacking are showers, storage, a safe place to be, and a restroom. All of things are basic human needs to help us rest, work and have security. Many people pay top dollar for security to protect many useless material things they think people less fortunate would take. When in truth many people that are homeless have lived so long without stuff, if you offered to purchase something that could make their life's better and provide them with sustainable income, they would need lots of time to think, because they have learned to live without stuff.

Yet privacy is about more than just wanting solitude, but security. Your home is your sanctuary no matter if its in a wash, a tunnel, a domicile or a vehicle. They may not have walls, but to just let yourself in and wonder around their camp, is disrespectful, inconsiderate and home invasion! This is not something any homeless person would take lightly , just as you would not if you came home to someone who let themselves into your home , uninvited. This of course happens, because government workers feel public land isn't there for the purpose of giving a safe place for someone with no place. Other homeless with separate morals may come to visit a friend, when he is not home and sit in his place, hoping he comes home soon. Others will steal items to take to their camps. Other people feeling the homeless are a threat to their own financial security may come and destroy the camp or beat the person if they find them there. For all these reasons, a camp will be hidden from view.

Leaving a gift near the camp is welcome, but be sure to leave a note, so the person knows its for them and not something being stored or something someone lost. Because it may stay there. If you are invited, stay a distance until your met, or come to the camp with them. Never tell where the camp is.

The nice part of having a place or knowing others with a place is good for safety, is good for emergency.

What makes you homeless? Not having a lease, not having a deed. Many living in a camp, will not consider themselves homeless. Many people living in motels do, as do people staying on a friend or family members couch, but the government doesn't count these people. Anything Homeless people do, people do in the privacy of walls, so who are homeless people? They are our siblings, our cousins, are aunts and uncles, our parents, our grandparents, our children and grandchildren. Maybe even you and me. respect is given and received, it goes along way. tread lite and show love. That is the word of every spiritual leader who were homeless themselves.

The Lonelyness of Homelessness

We all see them everyday, we don't always pay attention but they might be what we are missing. What we really miss is what happens when we go home for the day, we shower, clean the house take care of the kids. We finish the day many times drinking and doing a hobby or watching whatever on tv. We know out side can be hot or cold, and feel blessed not to be there. What we don't see is the the world grow dark, the city become lifeless, one person remains. He roams hungry, uncomfortable and wanting company. But day in and day out, his luck has not changed, his or her situation unchanged. A situational depression you may call it. As living beings we are social creatures, we work better with companionship, like a pair of birds, a cacti and a tree. When choices are made, priorities change, and some fall behind. When we leave are fellow man behind, we are to adapt to this change, ignoring our emotional response for the more rational choice. We slowly become divided. We no longer have a helping hand, a person there when we can use it, a younger guy to help the older folks.

It reminds me of a friend that works day labor, never enough to move ahead, like many others the bad economy effected him, financial woes started to divide the household, the kids became increasingly disruptive. Hi wife started looking elsewhere, and he went to his own devices. So know sleeping on a bus bunch, he dreams of those happier days, waking to the reality of being alone on a bus stop. We gets up to head to a job that doesn't pay him enough to afford he place with higher rent than a bus bench. He sees kids at play, reminding him of his own, now far away. He sees a couple, the loving cuddling kind, it reminds him of the love he lost. he sees friends walking and joking, something he no longer has. He notices that many don't have the same hobbies or interests. He is a blue collar family man, left behind, left to wonder the urban city desert like any nomad, struggling in the present, searching for the future, trying to rise from the heartbreaking past.

Another is more educated and hippy. left to hustle any way he can, but living alone, we is your hopeless romantic. Life to be a urban nomad himself. Located about 2 miles from the other. He enjoys the livelihood of the busy downtown area, enjoy the different venues and cafes. But when five o'clock comes , he sits alone. Pondering the wisdom he can gain from today's events, pondering why the universe place him here, and how tomorrow he can make someone else's day better. Still he sits, crowded by empty towers, lifeless shops, and a couple or family walking by.

Next time you see someone say hi, spend some time and tomorrow , maybe do it again. This is an easy life change, something we can all do, if anything we get things going its us coming together.

A life changing thing we saw running the Safe Park Protest, was that within 24 hours  a new resident had their stress level went down dramatically. Part of that is people with no where to go, now have a place to return to. They had a place to keep their stuff. They had blankets given to them, and notified that a small breakfast of donuts and coffee would come at 8 am. They had other people they slept with that gave them comfort. With a great diversity of people, each moved towards others with like interests. Couple slept near couples, Girls slept near the more protective men. The nite owls with the night owls, the elderly with the elderly. As the community grew, these groups intermingled. Offering a trade or barter system. Helping each other, socializing, having a sense of community, being a part of something. No longer lonely.

Now after months of police making people file uncomfortable there, we now see many of the people who had been lifted out of this situational loneliness, brought back into this because they are alone again left to be roaming urban nomads, being removed from a happy place again, re traumatized as the courts or mental health would call it. Because they now feel that homelessness is a crime, being seen poor is a crime, and standing with a voice is a crime, they also have become domestic refugees. The change, is they still have friends, they have a community or spread apart, they learned some new skills, they found people willing to spend time, lend a hand with no strings attached.

Cleaning the city cleans the soul.

Everyone wants to live in a utopia, a place where everyone has a place, is part of something and no problems exist. This is not where we currently find our selves, but this morning I awoke from my safe slumber at the Safe Park dream Center. I had slept good, feeling the cool breeze of the storm last night and felt refreshed. I was off to go help with the Tucson Arts Brigade  Day of Service. A annual event of giving back to the community in remembrance of the September 11th Attack. The problem is I missed my bus, and had to take a more scenic route. I got there just in time to get started. Many were still trying to wake up as responsibility is a full time job. It was sunny, but not hot, people were friendly and introduced themselves . There were several organizations including R4 Community and Our Family Services. We started with picking up garage left on the sides of the road and near schools and churches. We continued with cleaning the mural made by the Tucson Arts Brigade years ago, that had been designed by some of their Art Students. We then touched up the mural, removed the tagging. When looking at the difference I could not help but mention how it reminded me of what happens when we invest on someone down on their luck. They lack the resources to be neat and presentable, but you give them some TLC and you see what looks to be a successful person. The murals looked much better and even given a new look. (Hint look at the 3D effect when walking up the steps.)

News 4 Tucson  Reporter- Domenica Fuller, stopped by for a show and tell session.
One of the Young Artists is currently designing another mural the Tucson Arts Brigade talking about making at Central City Assembly, as all of you that follow my blog would know is the Safe Park Dream. Another was adding extra flavor to another mural at the Pedestrian Over Pass on 29th and Columbus. I also got a chance to work with a beautiful single mother, who is training to be an abstract artist. There was no more than a dozen people but that area looked much better afterwards. many of the neighborhood residents walked by with smiles and giving us thanks. All I could do was be glad to giving back to a community that has helped me so much, they deserved this and it only takes getting involved. Even a thumbs up from a cop who went by in a patrol car.
So there we were a few artists in training, a homeless Activist offering Sweat trade, a few other community supported organizations and Tucson Arts Brigade doing what it does the best. The only tagging we left was one that stated We Want The Arts Brigade!