from the S.F. Bay Guardian, 26 Oct. '94, pgs. 10-11

POOR LAWS BACKLASH

Progressives Rally Against Draconian Ballot Measures


Over the last two weeks, opponents of Berkeley's proposed antiloitering 
and antipanhandling laws (Measures N and O on November's ballot) have 
managed to rally significant new support from churches, a host of other 
organizations, federal government leaders-- and even Nobel Peace laureate 
Desmond Tutu. 

The emergence of such dramatic and influential opposition now leaves the 
success of these measures, previously thought to be sure wins, in serious 
doubt. In late September, Margaret Russell, national vice president of 
the American Civil Liberties Union, signed onto the ballot argument to 
urge voters to defeat the two propositions. Russell was soon followed by 
Alameda County supervisor Keith Carson and Rep. Ron Dellums (D-Oakl.).

Anti-N and O forces have since found considerable success portraying the 
two measures as new "poor laws," like the 19th-century laws enacted by 
England's noble class to force the underprivileged into institutions so 
they wouldn't be wandering the streets.

On Oct. 18, the Campaign to Stop the Poor Laws held a candlelight vigil 
outside the Berkeley City Council. The vigil-- which included 
representatives from the Berkeley Emergency Food Project, the Berkeley 
Free Clinic, Berkeley Oakland Support Services, and the Church of St. 
Joseph the Workman-- was heartened by the news that South African Bishop 
Desmond Tutu had publicly denounced the two laws.

"Greetings from a free South African," Tutu wrote in a letter read aloud 
to the vigil's cheering crowd. "I am sorry I cannot be with you tonight, 
but I am with you in spirit. I want to lend you my support against these 
propositions."

Councilmember Shirley Dean, who coauthored Measures N and O and is 
running for mayor, was at a campaign event and missed the vigil, arriving 
at the city council meeting two hours late.

Antagonism to Measure O is also growing among residents in the area 
around the proposed multiservice center site. Several appeared before the 
Oct. 18 council meeting to voice their opposition to the site. "I don't 
know what I am going to do," testified business owner Jack Hoyt. "I am 
certainly not going to let the [service center] be set up."

Linda Powell, District 4 city council candidate and president of the 
Henry Hearst Neighborhood Association, acknowledged this unexpected flank 
of resistance to the measures. "Some people feel they're being 
blackmailed into providing a half-million dollars for the homeless," she 
told the Bay Guardian.

--By Chris Thompson

*****end of article*****
