CU TENT COMMUNITY!

Champaign-Urban Tent Community Incident Report #1 Monday, June 11th 1:30pm

On the night of June 8, 2009 Leigh Estabrook, part of St. Jude Catholic Worker Steering Committee, contacted the Residential Volunteers of the house to inform them that the Champaign Police were coming to investigate the nature of complaints of late-night disturbances issued from surrounding neighbors. In response Jesse Masengale, a homeless male whom has been staying at the Tent Community, contacted the officer who had previously called Leigh to further inquire into the situation that was forming. He was warned that the Champaign Police were going to stop by later that night. The officer informed Jesse that his intention was to “make sure there was no loitering or camping on any of the properties adjacent to the Catholic Worker House.”

Hoping that the Champaign Police Department would be willing to engage in an open and honest dialogue, and maybe even lend a sympathetic ear to the situation, the Tent Community (TC) decided it would speak with the officer and ask for his advice, as to where the community could legally relocate. Jesse called the officer, told him the TC would like to talk, and then informed him of being at the Catholic Worker House (CWH). No permission was given to any officer to step foot on the property. Two officers showed up on foot around 9:10 p.m. with bright flashlights and a video camera. Initially they stayed on the parking lot directly south of the two houses that are part of the Catholic Worker.

It was immediately clear that there wasn’t going to be any dialogue taking place.
The two officers shined their flashlights into the people faces of the people present and were scanning the edges of the property with the video camera rolling as if investigating criminal activity. “We simply wanted to talk rationally and discuss our options as to where we could sleep legally that night,” said a member of the TC. The first thing one of the officers did was to call out by name, a member of the TC, a well-known friend and guest of the CWH because of his status as a “sex offender”.

Then they asked who called. Jesse spoke up. They asked him his age. Jesse answered 22. Then Jesse simply asked, “Where can we go to sleep tonight?” The officer with the camera and the one doing most of the talking asked, “Why haven’t you tried the Time Center or Salvation Army?” ignoring the presence of females in the group. There were several different responses to the question because each particular person had their own particular reasons why they don’t or are unable to seek assistance from the shelters in town. Then Jesse said, “Some of us don’t have that option.” The officer ignored the conversation and began to film some of personal belongings of another homeless man who was not apart of the tent community but had independently placed his belongings on the property east of the parking lot.

The officer in charge then decided to step on the Catholic Worker property and continued to film. Kenny Bishop and Chris Watson, two residential volunteers, asked the officer why was he was proceeding onto the property and questioned his arrogant and demeaning attitude. The officer was then asked if he had a right to be on the property or to film the property without consent to a video search. After it was questioned, it was then explicitly stated by Chris Watson that the CWH did not consent to the video search of the property. The officer videoing claimed he was given permission and “can do what he wants”. In response, Jesse stood in front of the camera blocking the lens with his hand while others questioned the validity and authority of the officer’s actions. At one point the officer said “wow this is neat have you ever seen that movie with the kids in the woods with that witch”, a joke referring to the Blair Witch Project film.

After two verbal attempts to stop Jesse from blocking the camera, the officer jokingly asked his partner, “Would this be considered obstructing a peace officer?” As Jesse continued to be in the way of the camera, the officer snapped into frustration, turned off the camera, and grabbed Jesse by the arm and pulled him onto the adjacent property.

As they detained Jesse, he said to everyone “Stay together and don’t let the officers push you around.” The officer doing the filming and the talking said, “What now? I’m pushing you.” and he gave a light shove to the small of Jesse’s back.

Wanting to document the behavior of the officers, Jesse said to Chris “Take this it has a camera”, and got his cell phone from his pocket and threw it to Chris who caught the phone. As soon as that happened the other police officer said to his partner, “Oh, did you see that? He threw that phone at my head; that’s assault.” The officers became more aggressive each taking out their batons as they put Jesse in an arm-bend using one of the batons. Jesse did not once resist the officers or show any force that would make such aggression necessary. Chris followed Jesse and the police with the phone to document the actions of the officers. They kept telling Chris to get back, that he wasn’t allowed to follow, and threatened him with a ticket. One of the officers even came towards Chris with his baton ready to strike (after Jesse was in the patrol car, the baton-wielding officer apologized and clarified that following an officer too close implies a threat).

After watching from a distance and realizing the officers, Jesse, and Chris had slipped out of visibility, the group began to search to find where the officers had hauled Jesse off to and to witness how the situation was precipitating.  After searching for awhile in the general direction, various people of the group, some from the TC, Catholic Workers and other friends, were informed by another guest whom eats regularly at the Soup Kitchen that the officers were parked in Central Illinois Bank parking lot two blocks from the house and that they had one of the two already in custody.

Members of the TC and CWH, along with other friends and comrades, arrived to the bank parking lot to deter police unfairness, voice their support and concern, and provide witness to the situation. Chris had requested to the speak to the officers’ sergeant, concerning the lack of stated intent of the video and the lack of consent granted by the residents of the property for the video search.

After seeing that people were concerned about Jesse, willing to engage and requested a higher ranking official, the officers’ attitudes and behaviors appeared to shift dramatically. Their arrogance and aggressiveness left them and they quickly performed a city arrest for Jesse, charging him with obstructing a peace officer and assault. They gave him a notice to appear in court on the 28 of July at 9:00 a.m. in Court Room F.

The officers did nothing to help or advise our homeless community.

All inquires can be directed to cu.tentcommunity@gmail.com

 

I commend members of the TC and CWH for keeping their heads in spite of the provocative behavior of the police that night. It's sad that our communities make so little provision for the disadvantaged, especially Champaign itself.

It sounds like CPD should assign some of its juvenile officers to internal investigations. They seem to have a problem with aggressive, juvenile behavior amongst their own ranks.

How can concerned citizens of CU respond to this incident, and more importantly to supporting the Tent Community in its future endeavors?

 

A network of contacts when a need arises for support?

 

Donations of camping materials, food?

 

Soliciting support from local peace and justice organizations?

 

Investigating other tent communities around the country and their models?

 

Please give some tangible ways in which the Tent Community can be supported by the general public.

So glad we have a forum for getting word out about this, and people willing to document these vile and violent actions of the CPD. These were people asking for guidance who were, instead, surveilled and jailed. Simply shameful, Champaign! What are the plans for the court appearance July 28? What can people do to support those who have been unjustly charged and assaulted?

-a

Sounds like the homeless folks kept their heads and did the right thing by not causing a ruckus at the scene. The only way to combat injustice is with justice. Seek justice from the highest official possible. We who are blessed to have a place to live should keep in mind that if the economy keeps going like it's been going, some of us could be in the same situation. Do not allow government to run you over, but stand firm in dignity, peace and respect.

Here's a story about a homeless camp in Seattle:

http://seattle.indymedia.org/en/2009/06/273008.shtml

BD

First, they don't need a search warrant or your consent to investigate things they can see from the street.  If you're burning leaves in your back yard they can walk up and investigate.  Search warrants are for things and evidence of past crimes, not acts that are happening at the moment.

Second, the police aren't a social service agency.  It's not their job to tell you where you can sleep.  It is their job to respond to complaints from your neighbors so that your neighbors don't resort to dealing with the situation on their own.

Anonymous has it right.  If you want to help, let someone camp out in your own backyard.

For about a month now, a tent community comprised of various members from our homeless population have been banding together to create their own community.  Their hope is to live in solidarity and cooperation with one another, fighting for their own space and recognition as people whom have the freedom to determine their life together. The members of the tent community have decided to stick-up for themselves and have chosen to form bonds of solidarity against the societal structures and conditions that alienate, isolate and marginalize them because they live outside of the dominant norm of behavior and order of appearances of what it means to be a citizen of both our country and our local communities.  The Tent Community and those whom believe in this group of people and their project, are asking those who care about the poor of our community, to form a network of affinity and solidarity, in order to advocate and to struggle alongside of those whom are already struggling day to day for their own freedom.

The community began forming in a vacant yard adjacent to the Catholic Worker House and has since decided to relocate to the backyard of the Worker House in order to avoid legal repercussions. The hope of the tent community was to provide a safe community oriented space for the people of this city whom either by choice or circumstance don't have a "legal" roof over their head. The hope was and still is, that the community will operate as autonomous and self-organizing with the actual members of the community making the decisions and enforcing these decisions themselves.

There are many dynamic issues regarding the homeless and the desire for a tent community and we ought not approach the issues or the people in a homogenous manner.
Some of these issues are:
There is a lack of shelter and especially for Women and Children.
The conditions and restrictions of the shelters are undesirable for many.
Many have been banned from the shelters and have no where else to go.
As our economic situation continues to worsen the need will be greater.

The center for Women in Transition, the only woman's shelter besides a Women's Place (which is a short term shelter for women escaping domestic abuse), receives numerous calls daily and has a waiting list multiplying into the hundreds. Many of the men have been cast out of the shelters (Times Center and Salvation Army) due to state imposed regulations and independent restrictions or have themselves chosen not to live in the environment that these shelters provide, when good friends and our natural world provide a much better one.
  These women and men are sick of having to move from place to place because the Police chase them away or the city demolishes their camp sites. Women are sick of whoring out there bodies willingly in order to avoid the risk of being raped involuntarily while sleeping on the streets.
  The community has chosen to live by the communities' rules of behavior of the well-established and successful tent community Dignity Village in Portland, Oregon:

1. No violence toward yourself or others.
2. No illegal substances or alcohol or paraphernalia on the premises or within a one-block radius.
3. No stealing.
4. Everyone contributes to the upkeep and welfare of the community and works to become a productive member of the community.
5. No disruptive behavior of any kind that disturbs the general peace and welfare of the community.

The people of the Tent Community are sick of having to fend for basic survival alone when they can be united and share a meaningful life together!

Interesting proposition.  Here's a couple questions I have after reading the above post.

 

1.  What's so bad about the shelters that they are "undesirable?"  If many of these guys have been kicked out of the shelters, why would they be good candidates for hanging out with other people in the tent city? 

2.  What happens if somebody doesn't follow the rules of behavior at the camp?  Who enforces the rules?  It seems like at some point, there has to be somebody to enforce rules.

1. What's undesirable about living in a shelter? In a homeless shelter you, a grown adult, are given a curfew, rules, and expectations (job, dress, or religion related) none of which you have any say in deciding. Suddenly, due to economic or family circumstances, you are back to being treated like a child, or like a prisoner. You have to sleep in a room full of dozens of strangers. You get a locker for your things. You can not talk back. You can not question rules. No one would find this environment desirable, and evidently some do not even find them preferable to the risk of living out on the streets.

Sounds kinda like being an adult to me. 

• I have to wear certain clothes to work. 
• I have to be there at a certain time. 
• I have "chores" at work. 
• I also have "expectations" from work.  That includes my "attitude."
• That is why they call it work. 
• From that work I get money.  With that money I buy things that I want and/or need. 

 

As for the curfew aspect, I suppose that some might find it more appealing to have no curfew, but really do you want a constant stream of people coming in and out of a homeless shelter?  What about the people trying to sleep in the middle of the night?  Sleeping with a bunch of other people in the same room.  I am sorry, should they all have their own room like a hotel?  I guess that means that the military should start buiding some additional housing.  I am pretty sure they have multiple people living in the same room.  Lockers - oh yes.  They are also offensive.  You see, when you are trying to serve a large number of people you can't have individual rooms.  It is wasted space to do so.  So they have them sleep in the same room.  Since there is a noteable lack of closet space in such circumstances, lockers (which are econonmical and afford the ability for the social service agency to serve more of the homeless) are a viable option and give folks a place to lock their things up. 

 

In the case of the Time's center, you can receive a 3-12 month ban just for not doing your chores. Some people, liked by staff, can slip by. Others, disliked because of an "attitude problem" or other reasons can be banned for any number of small infractions. Don't even think of asking someone for a dollar. At the Salvation Army, people struggling with Alcohol CAN NOT screw up--or you are out on the streets and back on a long waiting list. I am glad these shelters exist and I understand their need for rules when working with so many people.  I can not, however, fault those who would prefer to camp with people they know rather than endure the restricted life of a shelter. If I ever became homeless, considering the options, I would likely choose to live on the streets as well.

Banned for not following the rules and chipping in?  OMG!!!  I suppose people should always just take from the agency and not give a little back.  Some people liked by staff can slip by.  I will give you that one.  They need to be chucked out too.  Everyone needs to pitch in.

 

Bottom line.  If one finds themselves living on the streets, that is not a crime.  But, that doesn't give the homeless a right to squat whereever they want.  If the property owner says it is okay, fine.  But if that is a violation of city code, then they gotta go.  Everyone that is supportive of the tent community should volunteer their backyard for it.  I guessing that in short order you will come to appreciate the feelings of the neighbors near St. Jude.  If you don't, maybe you should talk to the people who live around you so they can explain it to you....

 

You can live outside of society's rules within and in close proximity to society.  It just doesn't work. 

Sorry, that last line should have read  - You CAN'T live outside of society's rules within and in close proximity to society.  It just doesn't work.

The Catholic Worker House

This shelter has thought it a good idea to house homeless women at this location,  where they have primarily men with issues besides wanting a meal, stake out the place for meals.  Uhmm I have to question their judgement based on this call alone.  I have often seen the guys drinking and demanding money agressively and no one is addressing behavior.

Catholic Workers attempt to alleviate the sufferings of the poor by adopting lives of voluntary poverty in order to be free for direct, personal involvement, not so much dispensing charity as sharing in the lives of others. Voluntary poverty also frees us to respond to militarism, exploitation and racism in the spirit of Christian nonviolence, with the weapons of the Spirit, prayer, penance and self-sacrifice, and the weapons forged by Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Cesar Chavez, and by the nonviolent activists with whom we work in the peace movement. We do not underestimate the task, noting that a generation after the passage of civil rights legislation large sectors of our minority populations are more depressed and isolated than ever. This struggle brings heartbreak, but it is fun, too, joy.

 

http://www.catholicworker.org/index.cfm

Tent communities are one small part of a solution to resolving homelessness, and they offer a dignified way for people living on the streets to find the safety and community lacking in many shelter situations, in order to get back on their feet as productive members of society. Shelters also provide a valuable service, but most exist simply to provide food and shelter, and lack the additional social support needed for people to recover from past mistakes and misfortunes and get themselves out of the poverty trap. All existing solutions as well as other creative outside-the-box programs are desperately needed to solve the complex problem of homelessness and poverty.

For more information on tent communities based on the Dignity Village model, see www.tentcitiestoolkit.org, and order the DVD which provides 2 hours of video and audio commentary and information, along with detailed documents and worksheets describing the Dignity Village model.

 

Join in solidarity and support of Safe Haven Tent Community as the city hides behind its criminalization of homelessness with the guise of "unsafe for human habitation". Consider the history of humans and their dwellings; now we must assimilate to the standards of 'civilization' by living in a structure with running water and electricity. Of course there's no other way to live, unless you're a backwards primitivist or homeless because of this empire's social and economic inequalities.

 

As the tent community pursues conversation with the city, voice your support for a change in the zoning ordinance, and the future of a sustainable solution to the lack of affordable housing, overflowing shelters, and the continuing economic crisis.

 

Champaign city officials, you say its illegal to sleep outside, but where's your solution?

Surely giving tax break incentives to condo developers isn't your answer.

We're holding you accountable for the well being of ALL of Champaign's residents, in homes, in tents, and in the woods.

If you fail to find a solution, we'll have to take personal responsibility for the marginalized of our community.

As for the curfew aspect, I suppose that some might find it more appealing to have no curfew, but really do you want a constant stream of people coming in and out of a homeless shelter?  What about the people trying to sleep in the middle of the night?  Sleeping with a bunch of other people in the same room.  I am sorry, should they all have their own room like a hotel?  I guess that means that the military should start buiding some additional housing.  I am pretty sure they have multiple people living in the same room.  Lockers - oh yes.  They are also offensive.  You see, when you are trying to serve a large number of people you can't have individual rooms.  It is wasted space to do so.  So they have them sleep in the same room.  Since there is a noteable lack of closet space in such circumstances, lockers (which are econonmical and afford the ability for the social service agency to serve more of the homeless) are a viable option and give folks a place to lock their things up.

I do believe the person anticipated your response.  He/She said this:  I am glad these shelters exist and I understand their need for rules when working with so many people.  I can not, however, fault those who would prefer to camp with people they know rather than endure the restricted life of a shelter.

The argument was not that it was wrong for these shelters to have these rules and curfews, but that it was undesirable, especially because they do not have any say in those rules.  This tent community is one that upholds rules, just as any other community, but it is a community of their own.  It is their home while they are there.  Shelters and homes are different things.  Life would be dry if it were only food, shelter and air, huh?  But that is what the shelters provide.  To say that this is your entire life, I would suggest that you join the Tent Community and find a place of belonging where you can have some dignity.

 

• I have to wear certain clothes to work. 
• I have to be there at a certain time. 
• I have "chores" at work. 
• I also have "expectations" from work.  That includes my "attitude."
• That is why they call it work. 
• From that work I get money.  With that money I buy things that I want and/or need. 

Safe Haven is not condoning nasty attitudes, filth and lack of expectations.  It is quite the opposite.  It is humbly asking for compassion and dignity, it is not causing any problems and it is upholding its rules, on a property with permission for the time being.  The tent community is not shirking on its duties, but attempting in building a community.  There is no place for the homeless in Champaign.  If you truly think there is nothing undesirable staying in a shelter, you should try it.  If all you're concerned about is meeting the expectations that are put on you and getting money, it's a great money saver, and no one is going to lose any money over it.  You'd just be an extra head in the shelter.  Rarely do they use all the food that is cooked, and the lights out are the same time every day, so you wouldn't be any extra burden to society.  Let me know if you think it is to your liking, please.

I don't understand where the condemnation for this tent community is coming from.  Where is the harm being caused by it?  What is difficult about allowing others to form a group to better their situation?  They are not taking what another person is using, but what can be used and what is there specifically for the less fortunate. 

anonymous on June 25, 2009 - 1:38pm here...

 

I think to understand the condemnation for the tent community it would be best if anonymous on June 30, 2009 - 3:30pm went and talked to the neighbors of the CWH.  I think you might get and idea...

I wish I could.  I am also aware of the original location of the tent community.  I coulda seen that one coming.  What are the neighbors saying?  I am currently residing in Washington state, so I don't have the opportunity of asking. 

 

I do really want to know what harm is caused by the establishment of the Tent Community.  The issues of loitering and carrousing existed long before the tent community, as did the complaints thereof.  It's on St. Jude property now, in the backyard, and they advocate lawful behavior.  They've disciplined those who refused to follow what bylaws are there, among them is no drug use or alcohol use within one block of Safe Haven.  If those are the only issues, removing this community changes nothing.  If it has to do with the people in the community, they were part of the Champaign community before they were a part of the tent community.  Peace, guys. 

I really do want to know what are the issues that the neighbors and others are having.  I don't mean that as some cocky challenge.

 

Love,
Paul

How can camping be against the law? I think it is totally ridiculous to put yet another law in place instead of helping these people. I totally agree that they probably camped together for their own safety. These people have nothing and all you can offer them is a waiting list?? We have to do better than that. casino online

24 Cities, 49 Days, 8598 Miles

Hey Changemakers,

A lot of people will be traveling this holiday weekend to stay with loved ones in the comfort of their homes. But few will experience anything like the trip Mark Horvath will begin this month, traveling to 24 cities in 49 days covering 8,598 miles, all with a single goal: to capture the stories of the homeless.

Mark has a remarkable story himself. He was homeless 15 years ago, living on the streets of Hollywood. Now he’s a communications specialist and activist for the homeless, and recently launched a site called InvisiblePeople.tv to bring the voices of those without a home to the web. For the past six months we've also been honored to have him as a guest contributor on Change.org, posting reflections and weekly video interviews with homeless people.

Mark's cross-country tour will take his work to a new level. He will be visiting tent cities, motels, and other accommodations for people without a home to unearth the modern-day realities of homelessness while providing a venue for "invisible" people to tell their story, raw and unedited.

Change.org is a proud sponsor of the trip and will be featuring dispatches from Mark’s travels as the tour unfolds. We’ll also strongly encourage you to become a part of the project. For ways you can get involved and support Mark’s efforts, click here.

http://www.change.org

The Tent Community is supported by the UCIMC as well it should.  They currently are being removed from tents at the Catholic Worker House because of zoning issues.  Where could they move that would provide them the dignity and safety that all desire?  They currently are pitching tents in a backyard area that is no larger that 900 square feet with no running water and restroom.  Who has the desire, motivation and the facility to accommodate this population of 10-15 with the possiblity of more to come.  As well, the Gateway displaced an equal number of men, women and children with no place to sustain themselves according to information received from the UCIMC.  Solution?  Of course.  Currently the UCIMC is offering more than 3488 square feet of space in their building with at least 4 restrooms with access to transportation hubs.  This space is currently empty and would provide heat, air conditioning and water to a needy group of people.  The area could easily house the 10-15 homeless with the ability to provide for even more if they would simply open their doors to them. 

As Paul indicates "These people have nothing and all you can offer them is a waiting list?? We have to do better than that."

Why? There is room at the inn, Paul!

 

Chris Watson wants to know "How can concerned citizens of CU respond to this incident, and more importantly to supporting the Tent Community in its future endeavors?"

Well Chris, that is easy.  Open your UCIMC doors, right now, for them.  Put your words to action and open the door for this population before it is too late.

"There are institutions, collectives, special interest groups, and individuals working on the housing issue in Champaign, whose involvement and assistance would make a difference to the vitality of the tent community."  Yes there are kbishop, and what is the UCIMC doing except providing the example for the rest of the community. 

What should I be doing that you will not.  Isn't that the question for all of us.