Cleanup of the encampment at St. John’s Cathedral
Photos by Giles Clasen
Comments from those affected by the cleanup of the encampment at St. John’s Cathedral:
Roy. Credit: Giles Clasen
Roy
“I don’t worry about Covid because if it’s my time, it’s my time. It’s always constantly survival, survival, food, sleep, food, sleep, water, water, food, sleep. That’s what I worry about. I’ve seen people and friends become suicidal.
“I served in the infantry in the Army. Did two tours in Afghanistan. Took shrapnel in my right leg and head and got two Purple Hearts. I got in a fight. I hit the wrong person and got discharged. My wife left me, cheated on me, and here I am [living on the streets without a home].
“Most people look at us like dogs. They treat us like dogs. Now, they keep their distance more, and care less [about unhoused people]. Everyone’s scared of getting sick. So, everyone cares less about others. They treat us like we have bugs. People call the police because we go through dumpsters looking for food.
“It is so hard to get food or anything right now.
“I don’t think the world owes us anything. But I think there should be opportunity. They should let us clean the alleys or the street or let us mow your lawns and let us take care of ourselves. Let us work so we can feed ourselves.
“The law hates us.
“I don’t use drugs but if someone buys me a Budweiser, I’ll drink it. I drink a little because it eases my pain. There is so much pain on the streets. It’s hard to survive because the city makes it hard. Even if you have ID or a Social Security card you don’t have an address - so you can’t get a job. What choice do we have? We can’t clean our clothes. We can’t get a job because we stink. When I see the sun come up in the morning, I’m happy because the night’s over.
“When I find food in the trash can I thank god because I’ve gotten something to eat to feel better.
“People don’t want us in the city because we bring the value of their homes down.
“We have to pee and poop outside. Do you think we want to? No. But there’s no choice. There’s no mercy.
“Where were sitting right now, they can come run us off or arrest us. We don’t have a choice.
“There’s no restrooms. We don’t have a choice. The city doesn’t give us a choice. Then they arrest us for making the wrong choice. For going to the bathroom outside. For sitting in the sidewalk. For anything.
“They don’t want to see us, no one wants to see us. And if they do see us they want to have us arrested not help us.
“My feet are black and blistered. My feet are falling apart because sometimes I have to walk for three days straight without a decent rest. Walking, walking, walking, looking for some place to stop and rest and sleep. But there is no place to stop in this city. No place for rest and no place for mercy.”
Reiko. Credit: Giles Clasen
Reiko
Reiko stands in front of the site near 14th and Washington, where he had been camping with other individuals living on the street. Reiko said homeless advocates, police. and a printed document had communicated to the individuals living at the site that the City planned to clean the area on May 20, 2020. All communication assured the individuals camping at the site indicated that they would be allowed to return once the area was cleaned. But before individuals could return people came and created a barrier preventing those living on the streets from returning. “I don’t think they should be allowed to put up the fence without fair warning,” Reiko said. “If you’re trying to do what’s right stand on what’s right, don’t sneak around and do it the way they did, the way the city allowed it.”
Darrian. Credit: Giles Clasen
Darrian
Darian started L&D Gives, a nonprofit that focuses on providing homeless individuals with the necessities they need to be on the streets. Right now, they are also providing masks.
“We have been getting donations of masks and I’ve had some made to give out to people.” ■