December 20, 2011
Occupy Providence mulls leaving park in exchange for a homeless center
Back in my home state of Rhode Island, Occupy Providence is considering swinging a deal with the city: they’ll stop occupying Burnside Park if the mayor and city council agree to create a community center for the homeless population to use during the day to stay out of the cold.
But before the city mulls the proposal, Occupy Providence will consider the idea and put it to vote at its general assembly meeting tomorrow at 3 pm.
“Having recognized the willingness of its people to take care of their own, the City of Providence should thus open a public space as shelter from the cold, a place for decent activities and pursuits for the members of the Providence community who suffer the most from inadequacies in the system, from imbalances and injustices in society,” reads the proposal written by Michael McCarthy.
“It is only by offering a more safe and dignified life to all of its residents that the city should feel able of request a vacation of our chosen peaceful means of speech and assembly,” McCarthy wrote. “There are no concerns that cannot here be met as equal people united in support of one another, as sisters and brothers united in care and concern, in pursuit of a just and happy existence, one human family warm and safe.”
No word yet on how City Hall may feel about the proposal. I’ll update this story when I’m able to track down old friend David Ortiz…
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