10 signatures reached
To: Portland OR City Councel and Mayor
Stop The Sweeps - Stop Taking My US Constition Rights
Portland has about 3,000 places (beds) for a homeless people to go to get rest and stay out of the weather. Portland has over 7,500 people living on the streets.
Portland continues to chase people around the city even though there is NO PLACE TO GO, many who swore to defend the US Constitution. These actions of running people out of public space, taking their things they need to survive, and even fining and jailing them, are un-constitional!!! In no place in the constitution, does it say, they can not be in public space. Portland has a long history of standing up against those who would harm others, unless the victim is homeless. With the President of the United States (1) now directing federal agents to go after homeless people across the entire country, we need to be protecting people even more then ever. The methods that have been used for decades do not work and without sufficient places for people to go, you are making it harder for people to survive not to mention get off the streets. Mayor Wilson even admits that he is NOT helping with this article (2) and is increasing the harassment (3).
In case you don't know the Amendments, the ones that are violated daily are:
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Eighth Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
(1) ENDING CRIME AND DISORDER ON AMERICA’S STREETS https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/ending-crime-and-disorder-on-americas-streets/
(2) Portland Mayor talks to Street Roots about homelessness plan: https://www.streetroots.org/news/2025/02/05/portland-mayor-talks-street-roots-about-homelessness-plan
(3) Portland’s top leader escalates homeless sweeps amid federal crackdown: https://www.streetroots.org/news/2025/08/20/portland-top-local-federal-leaders-escalate-homeless-sweeps-public-spaces
Portland continues to chase people around the city even though there is NO PLACE TO GO, many who swore to defend the US Constitution. These actions of running people out of public space, taking their things they need to survive, and even fining and jailing them, are un-constitional!!! In no place in the constitution, does it say, they can not be in public space. Portland has a long history of standing up against those who would harm others, unless the victim is homeless. With the President of the United States (1) now directing federal agents to go after homeless people across the entire country, we need to be protecting people even more then ever. The methods that have been used for decades do not work and without sufficient places for people to go, you are making it harder for people to survive not to mention get off the streets. Mayor Wilson even admits that he is NOT helping with this article (2) and is increasing the harassment (3).
In case you don't know the Amendments, the ones that are violated daily are:
First Amendment
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Fourth Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Eighth Amendment
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
(1) ENDING CRIME AND DISORDER ON AMERICA’S STREETS https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/ending-crime-and-disorder-on-americas-streets/
(2) Portland Mayor talks to Street Roots about homelessness plan: https://www.streetroots.org/news/2025/02/05/portland-mayor-talks-street-roots-about-homelessness-plan
(3) Portland’s top leader escalates homeless sweeps amid federal crackdown: https://www.streetroots.org/news/2025/08/20/portland-top-local-federal-leaders-escalate-homeless-sweeps-public-spaces
Why is this important?
Until there is more then enough places for people to go, these sweeps are putting citizens of Portland in danger either from someone who hates others or simply bad weather conditions.
Homeless people should have the same rights as all people in the USA.