to the future...

...be sure to not look like you are homeless. Seems the rich are upset that their grand scheme to drive the less fortunate from the city hasn't worked totally as planned so now they are making it a crime to sit or lie on the sidewalk. Of course, they say that this law will not be enforced against the tourists that leave money in the city, only those who may be homeless or begging for a little change to get some food.  The city spends millions harassing the homeless yet has no good program to move these people into permanent housing. In fact, an additional effect of this law is that after being convicted these homeless will have even less a chance to get housing as most programs exclude those with a criminal record. Gentrification worked once to rid the city of minority populations by destroying cheap housing and converting it to yuppie townhomes, now they are making a move to cleanse the city of lesser persons in the economic strata by making homelessness a crime.
Posted on Dreamwidth