Report #027
September 23, 2009 vicinity of 16th St. & Morris Ave.
(Approx. 12:00 noon)
Cause: Embracing the humanitarian “survival” instinct…
Enduring harsh treatment, being subjected to orchestrated profiling, and
being consistently threatened with incarceration; Several members of the
“ homeless” community becoming disenchanted with the variable principals of
their everyday existence, bonded together through a pact of necessary survival
in order that they might be afforded some measure of safety and support by way
of personal security, employment maintenance, and concern of family.
Members of this “collective”, established a recognizable rotation amongst
themselves allowing somewhat of a “shift-watch” to effect the security and
preservation of clothing, various personal belongings, and family while the
other half were afforded the solace of going off to work (primarily temporary-
labor) unencumbered by worry over clothing, various personal belongings and
safety of loved ones.
This unified collective represented the only reasonable spark of hope by
them to attain the much desired and even more deserved escape/freedom from
the quagmire of homelessness and ridicule suffered.
One complainant of the group expressed great pride in having achieved
enough progression to for the first time take his wife shopping for clothing
at an actual store rather than have to depend on the hand-outs of
others. Along with the clothing, much needed necessities/supplies for the most
simplistic existence of day-to-day, (personal hygiene items and the like) were
purchased.
Under the guise of the “shift-watch” it was to be expected all belongings
to be securely safeguarded under the watchful eyes of their collective entity.
*It is to be noted that over a period of having been denied their right of
presence in most other areas of the city (i.e. parks and throughout much of
downtown Birmingham), their existence was established along the rear corridor
of the 1600 block of Morris Avenue directly behind warehouse property
primarily utilized as storage facilities for entities such as “CAPPS” underneath
a few scattered trees in an open, muddy field specifically located on “Rail Road”
property with demarcation of a standard chain-link fence designating division
between it and “City” property.
It had become acceptable practice and knowledge that their presence
would be tolerated so long as the complexion of the area was maintained and no
interference of business during operating hours occurred. Several complainants
had even acquired permission to escape inclement weather by taking shelter
under the awning overhang from one of these same buildings
However…….
Effect: At midday on September 23, 2009, city workers, along with apparent
strict directives and forethought (of what can only be described as malicious – intent), arrived on the scene equipped with at least one (1) ea. – “cherry picker – = (similar to an overhead crane modified for usage on a 2&1/2 ton truck bed), – – two (2)ea. –“bobcats”= (miniature version of a bulldozer), four to five additional – trucks used commonly in the hauling of debris, and approximately fifteen (15) — crewmen who advanced on the collective and proceeded to bulldoze all personal – property and belongings and confiscate all items bearing any semblance of value – by workers on the scene…..
The items were found mostly to be essentials such as eyeglasses, wallets,
social security cards along with other state identification, birth certificates,
address books, prescriptions, and even school training manuals. Study books
from the Birmingham Library, workbooks for “AA” and ”NA”(alcohol
anonymous and narcotics anonymous), cell phones and even DD 214’s = proof
of discharge from military service.
Throughout the entirety of this scenario the guardians and the owners of
the property being picked over, destroyed and confiscated had their
protestations and requests of retrieval reduced to pleas and finally begging if
only for those items of the most primary need; = Blankets, underwear, “at least
one change of clothing”, work boots, tennis shoes (as some were without shoes
on their feet at that time), even feminine hygiene necessities.
And it should be yet considered the devastation and wrenching of the
soul witnessing hard earned and worked for items (most of which was newly
acquired and hard fought to gain) such as a radio, CD player, portable DVD
players; multiple pairs of jeans, t-shirts, socks, tennis shoes, carrying bags, hats,
umbrellas, jackets, coats, etc.
Not to exclude stored food or hygienic supplies…
All to no avail. The request were denied offhandedly and fell upon deaf ears and
the property itself being reduced to little more than garbage at this point, was
summarily loaded and hauled away presumably to a landfill.
Result: Every fragment of humanitarian respect within this one sparse
segment of time was stripped away from an already devastated group of
citizens. As a direct result of this action, jobs were lost (lack of proper attire),
physical pain and suffering endured (loss of medications and
proper identifications for continued medical treatment), and families who have
desperately attempted to remain as a single unit retiring to no other alternative
now but to split themselves apart for shelter or housing accommodations. These
same citizens committed only the crime of attempting to sequester themselves
in the furthest most segment of the city after having been driven from one end
to the other thinking to hide themselves away long enough to work and buy
enough time to enable them to build/and collect enough resources to escape
their current lot in life. Yet inevitably they were sought out and pursued as
prey.
*A summation to this report would prove redundant at this point as
the report clearly speaks for itself. However it occurs that certain points are
rather poignant and should be addressed…
Q: Who were the initiators of this action and why?
Q: Why were “city” workers called in to do this abhorrent deed on private property?
(I could only ascertain the Rail Road was not involved)
Q: By what level of authority was this action taken?
(Neither of the warehouse managements lodged complaints)
(Both were compelled to voice being appalled and sympathetic)
Q: Where is the benefit gained by heaping yet more suffering on already
distraught and dejected citizens?
Q: When does the violation of civil liberties become acceptable to openly
challenge?
Q: Given the fact that they have even “less” now than what they began with; what
actionable recourse do they have by which to sustain themselves?
(shelters are already full and overflowing)
Q: Should there not be an expectation of liability at some level for personal loss?
Q: How do you re-instill faith/trust to people in a system which has obviously
felt obliged to forsake them?
Q: How do you express compassion and give voice to this episode?
Q: How do you restore the dignity and self respect?………
R. Cole
Filed under: civil liberties, homeless abuse, police abuse
Homeless Plight in Birmingham 