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Advocates rally for ‘Housing, not Handcuffs' in Rochester on anniversary of SCOTUS decision
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Housing advocates held a rally on Friday to reflect on the anniversary of a Supreme Court decision impacting individuals without homes.
VOCAL-NY and Rochester Grants Pass Resistance organized the event to speak against the Grants Pass v. Johnson decision, a case that ruled cities can enforce camping laws on unhoused individuals.
Organizers are calling for Rochester to not join the list of 150 cities where laws prohibit camping on public property or parking overnight in city parks.
During the rally, they shared information with the community about a petition that's been started with the initiative of 'Housing, not Handcuffs'.
Metro Justice and allies rally against RG&E at City Hall
The groups list of demands include a call for the stopping of unhoused individuals being 'relocated' and ineffective sweeps, a commitment from the city to realistic interventions and resources to meet those in need, the creation and sharing of inclusive policies, procedures, and practices that protect the dignity of individuals who live outdoors, the creation of more sustainable and inclusive housing, and a commitment to engage and collaborate with individuals in the houseless community in order to develop a realistic needs assesment.
The rally was held at Washington Square Park on Friday at 6 p.m.
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