FREMONT, Calif. (KGO) — A coalition of homeless advocates are suing the town of Fremont. The objective is to cease the town’s new ban on tenting and aiding homeless encampments.
Lawyer Anthony Prince with California Homeless Union, authorized specialists and different plaintiffs held a digital press convention on Friday night.
“There’s roughly 75 cities within the state of California, which are both contemplating or already enacted ordinances comparable,” Prince stated.
The 62-page lawsuit consists of roughly 25 unions from up and down the state.
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“And we’ll go ahead with our movement to hunt a restraining order and that may go in entrance of the courtroom,” Prince stated.
The swimsuit factors out within the ordinance “To Camp is outlined so broadly that it consists of not solely putting, pitching or occupying tents… however the act of dwelling outside.”
“I deliver out tents to folks and blankets. So in lots of locations, in lots of locations that is turning into unlawful,” Powelson stated.
Robbie Powelson’s group is likely one of the plaintiffs within the case.
Based mostly within the North Bay, Powelson is an unhoused advocate and stated housing insecurity has all the time affected him personally.
In 2023, he had a courtroom victory in opposition to the town of San Rafael to cease the deliberate eviction of campers.
He stated Fremont’s ordinance is a public well being emergency.
“Essentially if you’re unhoused that is about, the legal guidelines that defend you that is the legal guidelines that defend the human physique. As a result of if you’re unhoused that is what you actually have – simply your humanity. And you are not protected by possession of property,” Powelson stated.
A spokesperson with the town of Fremont says they can’t touch upon pending litigation.
Metropolis council will assessment modifications to the ordinance on March 18.
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