Waking Up the Slumbering Conscience: Freedom SleepOut #29

Becky Johnson of HUFF [Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom]--a Freedom Sleeper supporter as well--will speak at City Council at 5 PM during Oral Communications after yesterday's Koffee Klatch Call-Out to Mayor Cynthia Mathews (See https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/01/24/18782176.php )

Around the same time HAAC activist Toby Nixon will begin another night on the concrete drawing attention to the City's medieval law making the act of sleeping a crime after 11 PM at night outside, in a vehicle, or in any non-residential building.

Yesterday HUFF activists gave out coffee and brownies in front of City Council offices as well as making forms available for complaints to document the City's organized legal persecution of poor people outside.

Last week activist Nixon documented harassment by First Alarm Security guards against a homeless man trying to sleep out of the wind under the eaves of the Civic Auditorium.

Phorographer and journalist Alex Darocy documented last week's Freedom Sleep-Out (#28) at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/01/21/18782114.php ["The "Winter" Freedom Sleepers"].

Freedom Sleepers Keith McHenry and Abbi Samuels are facing related harassment charges in court today at 10 AM. See " Food Not Bombs Co-Founder Keith McHenry Faces New Criminal Charges for His Work to Defend the Rights of the Poor " at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/12/18/18781097.php ,

Last Friday a visiting judge found Freedom Sleepers Phil Posner and Louise Drummond guilty of "being in a park after closing hours", the grabbag charge being used to disperse and discourage protest at City Hall for the last six months. Posner suggested he prefered jail to paying a fine or doing community service, but was turned down.

Phil and Louise describe their history and experiences with the Freedom Sleepers on Community TV, archived at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-Kd_Ll2Ctk&feature=youtu.be .

Coffee usually shows up during the night for those hardy enough to spend the night. Visitors and donations are welcome. Freedom Sleepers regularly assess the night's events at the morning HUFF meeting 11 AM at the Sub Rosa Cafe at 703 Pacific Avenue, where yet more coffee flows.