Taking nonviolent, compassionate action for people in need comes in many forms
Local advocates and people impacted by the harsh decisions to displace campers with nowhere else to go took matters into their own, nonviolent hands on Friday in response. The Mayor and Council members dining out in a publicly-funded, social event were surprised at the confrontation.
Outrage from local residents including children could be heard on the streets of downtown Grants Pass last Friday evening, when a group targeted decision makers at a dinner event for the newly sworn in City Councilors and Mayor. The nonviolent protest was in response to far-reaching camping bans and the Council’s revocation of funding that would have allowed a nonprofit called MINT to operate a new shelter in the town.
After four new City Council members and the mayor were sworn in just two days previously, the governing body voted 5-2 to evict residents from previously designated camping areas, limit traffic to the locations, and block funding for a new shelter, citing issues raised in a recent building inspection. Media coverage of the swearing in of the new Councilors cited that the city was moving in a more “conservative” direction, but no one could have predicted the extreme decision. (link)
“Mayor Scherf, I need to talk to you,” said a young boy with a mobile microphone present at the protest. “I need to talk to you about where to sleep!”
If the use of inspections, citing of unproven public safety concerns, and the rejection of funding for homeless services sound familiar, it’s because these tactics have become commonplace for municipalities in our region. Ever since the grave Supreme Court ruling last June sided with the City of Grants Pass and allowed for criminal penalties for those sleeping outside, cities in Oregon, California, and many other states have found avenues to deflect the rising housing crisis through these common policy changes.
The protest Friday may have been unconventional with direct confrontation, documented on video, to the new Mayor Scherf. When a seven year old was seen asking the Mayor to talk to him about their decisions to ban camping, the mayor replied that the group should contact him during business hours. If only people without homes could experience the same deference, by being afforded a safe place to sleep.
The use of disruptive, nonviolent tactics to support justice-oriented campaigns have been an effective way to press for needed changes, throughout history, and this is no different. All four of the new City Council members and Mayor Scherf were backed by the ultra-conservative Josephine County Republican Party in the recent election. Regardless of party affiliation, the need for reasonable shelter and compliance with Oregon state law remains a priority in our communities.
The loud shouting and nonviolent targeting of local lawmakers may mark only the beginning of the moral outrage to come. When people are freezing outside and can’t even pitch a tent, much less acquire needed services for survival, people of conscience are mandated to do what it takes to improve conditions.Friday night, Helen Cruz, joined by other unhoused Grants Pass residents and outraged community members confronted newly appointed Grants Pass Mayor, Clint Scherf
