Fwd: Re: Laws on squatters rights in different states

Stephen Twig Meeks (s_meeks99@yahoo.com)
Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:28:42 -0800 (PST) 

--- Stephen Twig Meeks <s_meeks99@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Date: Wed, 10 Nov 1999 08:07:06 -0800 (PST)
> From: Stephen Twig Meeks <s_meeks99@yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: Laws on squatters rights in different
> states
> To: muse@bga.com, batmans_byte@hotmail.com,
> cindynet@swbell.net, 
>     voiceofthepeople2@juno.com, William Tinker
> <wtinker@fcgnetworks.net>, 
>     HPN@aspin.asu.edu, "Coalition on Homelessness,
> SF" <coh@sfo.com>, 
>     homelessworld@egroups.com, Graeme Bacque
> <gbacque@idirect.com>
> CC: Tom Boland <wgcp@earthlink.net>
> 
> 
> I agree, we need to stop this in house squabbling
> amongst ourselves and get busy with our own housing.
> 
> As far as working with State and Local governments I
> put out a word of caution. Most cities have a
> coalition and task force in place (such as Austin),
> that "provide needed advocacy and services" to the
> local homeless population. The govt's in their
> infinite wisdom would hand a project like this to
> them...
> (Remember that most service provider oriented
> coalitions use the phrase "we know what is best for
> the homeless")....
> 
> Also, look what is going on in the Rainbow Family
> when
> during the early 90's people found that living in
> community and sharing all is an excellent lifestyle,
> no one goes hungry, unhoused, or "unemployed" if the
> choose to. And look at what the federal gove't did.
> Passed laws to prohibit us from gathering in the
> forests (even though we still do)....
> 
> I say we need to get together (It's going to take a
> lot of planning and co-ordinating), and on a
> National
> level declare "National Squatter's Month", where
> acrosss the nation we take over abandoned buildings,
> begin fixing them up, making them livable etc
> simultaneously across the land. Yes each city, and
> municipality, has laws concerning this, but a good
> place to start is with prperties that owe several
> years back taxes and are in default (in some places
> by
> being able to pay the back taxes, you "own" the
> land).
> 
> However it is done, we need to show the nation that
> yes, we can maintain and provide housing for
> ourselves, and not rely on those who are in the
> "business of homelessness for our own good".
> 
> I think this is a powerful and worthy course of
> action
> to take; and make a statement, as well as provide a
> solution, that 100's of marches, and vigils could
> not
> convey.
> 
> Let them know we are sick of being swept under the
> carpet. Let them know we are sick of inadequate
> services, that just keep us homeless so they have
> the
> numbers to get the dollars to line their
> pockets......
> 
> I'm from the school as far as numbers......
> 
> Q: How many people did you house last night?
> A: One more, a back pack and a dog
> 
> Q: How many people did you feed today?
> A: As many as we could till we ran out of food.
> 
> 
> Q: How many people did you give jobs to today?
> A: As many chores that we had to do to maintain our
> squat and gardens.
> 
> That is what they do not do for us.....and that is
> what needs to be done......
> 
> How does that cliche go? 
> "If you want it done right, you have to do it
> yourself.."
> 
> Yes, it is time for us to do it ourselves, and find
> our own solutions.....taking over abandonded
> buildings
> is a start.......it willl give us the basic shelter
> we
> need to move forward......
> 
> We can get our own food, and provide our own
> work.....
> 
> We are resourceful people, used to working with
> nothing..
> 
> WE NEED TO RISE UP AS ONE AND DO IT
> OURSELVES!!!!!!!!!
> 
> Peace and Solidarity;
> Stephen "Twig" Meeks
> 
> =====
> 
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