To: Mayor Nancy Denson, Mayor and Alan Reddish, City Manager
Stop Mayor Denson and the ACC's proposed Public Curfew Law
Victory! The creator of this petition declared the campaign a success. You can still sign the petition to show support.
We, the undersigned, believe that the proposed "Urban-Camping" law will hurt the homeless population and offers no real solutions to our area's homeless problem; it also hinders free-speech as defined by the Supreme Court. For these reasons we demand Athens-Clarke County not pass this law.
Why is this important?
Mayor Denson, City Manager Reddish, and the Athens-Clarke County Commission are considering a Public Curfew law. Originally discussed as an Urban Camping Law, the ACC are now broadening the scope of it. As it is now being discussed, the law would allow the Commission to set a closing time for all County-Owned (aka owned by the citizens of ACC) properties, including City Hall, the County Courthouse, all public monuments, parks, greenways, etc. and the grounds surrounding these buildings.
This law would have serious implications for the homeless, infringe upon free speech and assembly rights guaranteed in the Constitution, and could even restrict tailgating for UGA football games. The law is admittedly being drafted in response to a protest in 2012 by Occupy Athens protesters. If enacted, this law could be used at the discretion of public officials and the police, to shut down unwanted protests, harass and arrest homeless individuals, or make any activities after dark in public spaces illegal.
Most area homeless do not have anywhere to go. There are over 500 homeless individuals in Athens-Clarke County, with about 20% being children, but only 250 shelter beds available. What will the police and ACC do with these people if they are not aloud to be on any public property after dark?
Let's stop this law together because we should encourage our residents to take advantage of our beautiful city not limit their ability to.
Join the FB group here: https://www.facebook.com/StopTheAthensPublicCurfewLaw
For more information see Homeless stats gathered by the ACC Government here: http://www.athensclarkecounty.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/190