Homeless advocate sues Sacramento over anti-camping law

Homeless advocate sues Sacramento over anti-camping law


SACRAMENTO, CA (AP) -- Sacramento and its police force are being sued by the homeless who say their rights were violated when they were forced out of an illegal encampment.

Attorney Mark Merin filed the Superior Court suit Monday on behalf of 23 homeless men and women.

The suit says constitutional rights were violated last summer when the homeless were pushed out of the encampment under the city's anti-camping ordinance.

The suit seeks a court order to stop the enforcement of the law, which prevents camping for more than 24 hours in areas not designated for camping.

Merin said the law is used only against the homeless, depriving them of their rights to equal protection, freedom of travel and due process.

http://www.news10.net/news/story.aspx?storyid=74979&catid=2

There but for the grace of the gods go I.

Most of us are just a few paychecks away from homelessness. I have followed the Sacramento story with great empathy.