Re: request for information (legal presentations to homeless
Tom Boland (wgcp@earthlink.net)
Mon, 26 Jan 1998 17:44:25 -0800 (PST)
Cindy, thanks for your work to help homeless people learn and secure our
legal rights. Below, find my advice on the presentations you plan.
>What I am trying to do is develop a community education series that will be
>presented by attorneys to homeless individuals and sometimes to service
>providers concerning any and all kinds of legal issues.
Homeless people will be drawn to the series if you assure that the
conversation is two way. Perhaps homeless people could give presentations
and lawyers listen, as well as lawyers presenting to homeless people.
>Here we have the opportunity to dictate to a group of attorneys and other
>service providers what it is we would like to know about the system as it
>currently exists, how to change it, or anything based in legalities....
Presentations might cover the following issues of law:
decriminalizing poverty
police brutality
abuse and rights at shelters
street sweeps and squat evictions (NIMBY)
necessity defense for nonviolent civil disobedience (rights of protest)
pro bono defense for criminal and civil charges
prosecution process for homeless-bashing hate-crimes
rights of workers
child custody rights of indigent parents
appealing denied entitlements, housing and employment disrimination
My reason for highlighting "civil rights" themes is that attempts to help
homeless "individuals" may cause lawyers and providers to lose sight of how
we need to defend our legal rights as a "group", including the right to
collectively seek redress for our grievances.--Tom Boland
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