[Peace-discuss] [Discuss] Don't discriminate against the poor: Picket @ 6pm Council mtg @ 7pm

[John W.]

On Mon, Jul 25, 2011 at 12:09 AM, Danielle Chynoweth <chyn at ojctech.com>wrote:

Dear friends and neighbors,
>
> Council will be discussing the anti-panhandling ordinance again TODAY
> Monday, July 25th.
>
> I just received word that there will be an* informational picket at 6 pm*opposing the bill outside council chambers. The
> *council will meet at 7 pm *and will take public input at that time.
>
> After hearing from dozens of opponents and receiving a petition with 300+
> signatures, council is now divided on whether to kill the bill or make
> revisions.
>
> The latest version would ban aggressive panhandling, panhandling in a group
> of two or more, and panhandling near an ATM or bank or on private property
> if asked not to or a sign is posted.
>
> See the revised ordinance here:
>
> http://urbanaillinois.us/sites/default/files/attachments/ordinance-2011-07-099.pdf
>
> I continue to oppose this ordinance despite revisions for two reasons:
>
> 1) The city has not yet answered how existing city laws against assault,
> battery, trespassing, and loitering are inadequate addressing the concerns.
>


As for assault and battery, it may be that they're defined differently in
the law, and it may be that they're felonies. Perhaps the Urbana City
Council wants to differentiate aggressive panhandling and make it a less
serious offense than assault and battery.  Trespassing and loitering may
also be defined differently, and not fit all of the situations the City
Council is trying to address.

Just my three cents,

John Wason



> 2)  Any ordinance they pass must separate aggression from asking for money.
> Targeting panhandling makes the law clearly about discriminating against the
> poor rather than merely stopping aggression. Laws should apply to everyone
> regardless of their economic status.
>
> *Please show up Monday at 400 S. Vine St at 6pm to join the picket and 7pm
> to voice your ideas, concerns and ensure accountability on a vote.* Take a
> yellow slip at the back of the chambers, fill it out to speak or register
> your opposition, and turn it into the city clerk.
>
> thanks!
> Danielle
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.chambana.net/pipermail/peace-discuss/attachments/20110725/90156fe1/attachment.html>