For Immediate Release: June 2, 2004
Contact: Samantha Heller 407-497-4318
www.marchforourlives.org


POLICE THREATEN TO DEMOLISH POOR PEOPLE’S “BUSHVILLE” ENCAMPMENT AS THEY PREPARE FOR THEIR MARCH AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION

Jersey City, NJ - The Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign – a national campaign of poor and homeless organizations – began their three month long “Bushville” tent city on Tuesday, June 1st to both house and give a voice to the poor and homeless in this country. Around thirty currently homeless families, who spent hours in the pouring rain building their encampment, are now being forced to leave the only place they have to call home. These families are practicing their first amendment right to demonstrate and give a voice to those who are living without adequate healthcare, affordable housing, or are working 40 hours a week and still cannot make ends meet.

Today, the Police are threatening to demolish their “Bushville” tent city, an encampment set up by poor families from across the country in preparation for their March from the United Nations on Opening Day of the Republican National Convention this summer.


“We have no money for housing in New York City, and as a result of the housing crisis all around this country, more and more families are being put out on the street every day. “Bushville” is a nonviolent, peaceful space for poor families to organize and for those affected to speak first hand about the lack of adequate healthcare, affordable housing and living wage jobs in this country. We refuse to be disappeared in America and we will make our voices heard here at our tent city and at the Republican National Convention this summer.”

– Cheri Honkala, National Spokesperson of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign

FOR LOCATION INFORMATION CALL 407-497-4318




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