35 votes

The US Supreme Court will evaluate the constitutional validity of local ordinances barring homeless from sleeping on streets and sidewalks

Posted by boxer_dogs_dance
Tags: usa, supreme court.us, politics, government.local, policy.social, constitution, ordinances, homelessness, source.associated press
https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-homelessness-encampment-sweeps-cities-92ee954dfe2e32d892e9a73e25f16ae3

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Title
The Supreme Court will decide whether local anti-homeless laws are 'cruel and unusual'
Published
Jan 12 2024
Word count
405 words

6 comments

  1. kej
    Link
    "La majestueuse égalité des lois, qui interdit au riche comme au pauvre de coucher sous les ponts, de mendier dans les rues et de voler du pain. (In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and...

    "La majestueuse égalité des lois, qui interdit au riche comme au pauvre de coucher sous les ponts, de mendier dans les rues et de voler du pain. (In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal loaves of bread.)"

    -- Anatole France

    36 votes
  2. [2]
    boxer_dogs_dance
    Link
    The Supreme Court will rule on the appeal

    A separate 9th circuit panel ruled in the Oregon case that Grants Pass could not enforce local ordinances that prohibit homeless people “from using a blanket, pillow, or cardboard box for protection from the elements.” The decision applies across nine western states, Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

    The Supreme Court will rule on the appeal

    8 votes
    1. vord
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      I do not have a good feeling about this one. On one hand, cruel and unusual may well apply. But I wager it's gonna get ruled as "Its left to the states what crimes are." And so long as the...

      I do not have a good feeling about this one. On one hand, cruel and unusual may well apply.

      But I wager it's gonna get ruled as "Its left to the states what crimes are." And so long as the punishment isn't cruel....its fair game.

      18 votes
  3. [4]
    Comment removed by site admin
    Link
    1. stu2b50
      Link Parent
      I mean, it was the democratically elected local governments that made the "law against being poor"...

      I mean, it was the democratically elected local governments that made the "law against being poor"...

      21 votes
    2. [2]
      boxer_dogs_dance
      Link Parent
      To be fair, a large percentage of city governments also want to make it to be illegal to be destitute within their jurisdictions.

      To be fair, a large percentage of city governments also want to make it to be illegal to be destitute within their jurisdictions.

      9 votes
      1. [2]
        Comment removed by site admin
        Link Parent
        1. boxer_dogs_dance
          Link Parent
          If you read Grapes of Wrath and other novels from the Dust Bowl era, you see severe dehumanization and exploitation of the homeless. I feel you re political risks. Should Trump be reelected, I...

          If you read Grapes of Wrath and other novels from the Dust Bowl era, you see severe dehumanization and exploitation of the homeless.

          I feel you re political risks. Should Trump be reelected, I will be very afraid. I don't have many options for relocating at this time. My hope is that there will be serious pushback from GenZ and Millenials in support of abortion rights and against Trump's whiny victim persona and vengeful hateful plans, but there are a number of wild cards in play, including the Israeli war in Gaza and Biden's policy choices. If enough people vote against something they don't like about Biden, while ignoring the risk of Trump... idk.

          8 votes