Portland protesters unite for homeless

Some residents of Portland, Ore. protested the city government’s law that targets homelessness as crime on Tues.

This protest is in response to the government creating a law that prevents homeless people from living in public areas. According to Auditor’s Office, the law prohibits camping and campsites alike in public areas.

According to Oregon Live, the leader Jessie Sponberg planned a night-long event at City Hall, because he is upset about an ongoing city flop to address the issues around homelessness. Sponberg also planned protests at Mt. Tabor and a blanket drive at West Burnside, writes Oregon.

The goal behind this event is to “shame the mayor into action,” said Oregon Live.

The next morning the protestors made headstones and grave markers to mimic a cemetery outside of City Hall. This was in honor of the people who have died due to weather exposure on the streets.

There were approximately 50 protesters during the event armed with torches and pitchforks.

There was a 10 percent increase in the homeless population between 2011 and 2013 in Portland, reports the The Count of Homeless.

image: Wikimedia Commons