This morning Rob Richards received word from the press that the police are mobilizing 40 armed bullies to come down and end Camp Quixote.  The city has refused to negotiate with the houseless individuals that make up the camp and is not offering alternatives to the camp.  As many of us know there are countless people in the woods surrounding Olympia, spread out and isolated from one another.  For the folks downtown Camp Quixote has become a safer alternative to the dangers of camping in alone or with few others in the woods.

Last night at the city counsel meeting the city acknowledged the failure of the county and regional programs to help poor people find homes and jobs, as well as the failure of housing vouchers that are supposed to help people rent but are not accepted anywhere.  Folks on the counsel (with the exception of TJ) stated that since they had not heard about the tent city, that because no one had approached them about it, and because it was clearly in violation of the law, Camp Quixote would be put to an end. 

But where are the greater violations happening?  Why do people not have a place to stay in the first place?  Why does the United States not view housing as a human right?  And why would the city counsel sooner wash its hands of responsibility than support actions to create safer and healthier places for people in need of a bed to stay?

Of course the following is tongue-in-cheek but think about this:

Olympia would be a safer place to shop and take the kids if only the city council would grow a backbone and make the police get rid of all the churches! I can't stand turning on my tv and seeing some charlatan preacher beg me for money! Why don't these Padres get a job?

If you don't give them what they demand they insult and abuse you, something about being with Satan and burning in Hell.

These people choose to live a church lifestyle. Nobody made them. Oh, sure, their family life and upbringing may have led them to it but they need to take responsibility for themselves.

Need I mention the large number of pedophiles? Maybe there are some pastors who clearly aren't sex offenders but one is one too many.

Have you ever smelled these church people? Around that disgusting St. Michaels church it smells like incense.

Being serious now I love churches and I was raised Catholic. A few months ago I emailed St. Michaels mentioning that I was thinking of going back after years of going to different churches. I didn't receive any emails or phone calls. No "welcome to our Parish", no request for a meeting to maybe see if spiritualy this was the right decision. What I have gotten, every month on the dot, are envelopes in the mail so I can send them money. Classy.

Back to pointing out all the "obvious" reasons churches and the people who support them need to be driven out of town, most of them are involved with soup kitchens, clothing banks, and other charitable means of assisting the downtrodden.

• Who do you work for?
• Why aren't you using some form of dispute resolution services?
• Aren't we adults? Can't we acknowledge our emotions appropriately (self management, talking with clergy or therapist, time with friends) and then get back to work?

Poor People’s Union (PPU)
Camp Quixote
Public lot, NE Corner of Capitol and Olympia
 (925)-285-5342  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 7, 2007                    
Contact: Ray Kavick (925)-285-5342

PPU DETERMINED TO STAY IN CAMP, OPPOSE CITY PRESSURE TO VACATE

On February 1st, the day that the City of Olympia banned sitting, panhandling or performing (except in designated areas) on the sidewalk, the Poor People’s Union (PPU) set up a tent encampment on the corner of Capitol and Columbia, behind the Brotherhood bar. Since that time, the encampment has grown to include 25 tents, each holding more than one person, a kitchen, a portable toilet and a wooden, communal hall.  Dozens of local businesses and residents have donated food, clothing and other necessities. Countless others have visited and toured our home offering us support. Throughout the time we have been here, we have stuck by our four rules: No Alcohol, No Drugs, No Violence, No Theft. We have consistently organized trash brigades to pick up litter in the neighborhood around the camp, we have handled disagreements collectively, drugs and alcohol have been effectively banned, and no serious incidents have occurred.

All of us in the camp view it as our home and respect it as a home.  People who would have been sleeping outside alone, isolated from any sort of community have now found one. We have formed a community and those living here have one thing in common: the City has no concern for us as human beings with a right to housing. We are asking for three simple things: 1) a permanent site for all those now living in Camp Quixote, 2) a services review board, 3 Representation on all committees involving issues of homelessness, poverty, and social services. Now that we have begun to organize ourselves to demand these rights, the local government and police are preparing to come and destroy the small, beautiful place that we have built for ourselves.  Our crime is NOT trespassing, our crime is NOT being unsanitary and our crime is certainly NOT being dangerous.  Our crime is acting independently and effectively, being organized, and caring for all the people of this community especially each other--those without permanent shelter.