Students Demand End to Sweeping of Encampments to Avoid More Deaths
Student-led Rally and Press Conference to demand the end of unlawful sweeping of homeless encampments in San Jose, CA
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Armando Guillen: (831) 663-7096, armando.guillen@sjsu.edu/ Angela Smith: (650) 346-7998, ang.s.maria@gmail.com
SAN JOSE, CA – On Friday, April 21 at 11:30 am, Students Against Sweeps will hold a press conference at Columbus Park on Asbury Street to discuss the City’s plans to address homelessness, and demand that it be treated as a human rights issue.
As of today, 60 unhoused individuals have died at the hands of the City. We have surpassed the number of deaths this time last year. These individuals were mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters, and friends. Each passed away because of an inability to get proper shelter and medical care in our very own city. Mayor Mahan has plans to address homelessness with policing and abatements with the help of the Parks and Rec. department. Students Against Sweeps is a group of San Jose State University students demanding an increase in funded outreach and resource sites, and demand an end to the unlawful, inhumane, and traumatic sweeping of encampments to avoid more deaths this year. We demand that the city follow their own abatement policy. Speakers will include SAS and unhoused community members.
DEMANDS:
1. Stop the Mayor Mahan encampment ban!
2. Stop all sweeps of homeless encampments that are in violation of their own abatement policy.
3. Stop the sweeps at SOAR sites and expand the SOAR sites to more locations within the city.
4. Remove or Amend San Jose's Setback Policy to exempt or accommodate homeless encampments.
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