(LoveCry) homeless from sleeping at Nathan Phillips Square Tuesday

[freez...@yahoo.ca]

Square Off 

Things can get pretty noisy at Toronto City Hall, but councillors
weren't expecting this.

As the Mayor presided over debate on a bylaw designed to ban the
homeless from sleeping at Nathan Phillips Square Tuesday afternoon, a
loud clash broke out in the gallery.

It was the shouts from members of the Ontario Coalition Against
Poverty, who made their opposition to the idea clear.

They think the law discriminates against the homeless, and while they
know they're not likely to be able to stop the new prohibitions, they
wanted to be sure local politicians knew about their displeasure.

Street nurse Cathy Crowe believes it simply isn't necessary for the
government to introduce this law now, when so many have nowhere to go.

"Do nothing right now," she suggests. "Keep doing what they did in the
winter, which was when they opened 110 Edward St., which was an
emergency shelter. The numbers at City Hall dropped dramatically …

"There are already outreach workers working with folks that have very
delicate, well-established relationships. They should still be given
support to do their work."

She complains there's too much talk and not enough housing. "We did
ask that more money be put into this proposal for new social housing
... [Of] the 1,000 units promised, only 500 are going to be affordable
... We don't want to see bylaws that will criminalize people for
sleeping outside."

The protest had at least one desired effect – it temporarily halted
the work of Council. David Miller called a recess, as security
officials tried to clear the chamber.

The demonstrators eventually left of their own accord, their message
delivered and their mission accomplished.

Miller has vowed no one will be arrested if found sleeping in the
Square, but that social workers will direct them to better places to
sleep.



February 1, 2005

--
Blessings and Love
Angel
http://lovecry.org





www.LoveCry.org

originally posted to Lov...@yahoogroups.com

to subscribe, send a blank e-mail to:                             
lovecry-...@yahoogroups.com

please forward this message to a friend :)

---

Yahoo! Groups Links

• To visit your group on the web, go to:
  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lovecry/
   
• To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
  lovecry-u...@yahoogroups.com
   
• Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

______________________________________________________________________ Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca