A Pivotal Moment in the History of Homelessness is Unfolding, Tipping the Scales on the Criminalization Issue
Yet another shameful attempt to overturn Martin V. Boise has come into play. The outcome of this pending case, slated to be heard in April 2024, could change the legal protocol for homelessness by removing protections advocates, lawyers, and taxpayers worked diligently for years to achieve.
Homelessness is an ethical crime against humanity. Nobody deserves to be without a permanent, stable place to live, much less be forced to sleep outside in spaces deemed unfit for human habitation, such as vehicles, street corners, and tents. Sadly, when governments get involved in “solving” the homeless crisis, this often involves legally penalizing the victims.
Did you know it is illegal to be homeless in almost every state across the country? When law enforcement officials witness a homeless person publicly engaging in life-sustaining activities such as:
- Walking
- Standing
- Sitting
- Lying down and more
Some laws make it possible to cite them immediately. The only ethical clause that stands between a homeless person and a pricy, ineffective prison sentence is one court ruling – Martin V. Boise.
