Illegal to Sleep: Grants Pass’ Cruel War on Homelessness
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Published 2024-04-18
Our investigation dives deep into the daily struggles of homeless people trying to survive in the rain and cold. The documentary covers the impending Supreme Court case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, which challenges the city’s public camping ban under the Eighth Amendment's clause against "cruel and unusual punishments." This historic case questions whether it's constitutional to penalize the homeless for sleeping outdoors when they have no other shelter options.
Grants Pass officials argue for the need to reclaim public spaces, while advocates for the homeless warn of the dire consequences of criminalizing homelessness. This video highlights the personal stories of affected individuals and explores the broader societal and legal implications. Join us as we shed light on this critical issue, examining the intersection of law, policy, and human rights in a community divided on how to treat its most vulnerable residents. Watch as we unfold the layers of this complex issue, leading up to a landmark decision that could reshape the landscape of homelessness across America.
For more information and how you can get involved, visit johnsonvgrantspass.com/
This video is a partnership between Invisible People and the National Homelessness Law Center housingnothandcuffs.org/
Executive producer: Mark Horvath
Producer/editor/cinematographer: Alex Gasaway / youtube.com/alexgasaway
Additional footage: Cody Wanner / @rcodywanner
More stories:
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From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Homeless • From a Tent to a Home: No Longer Home...
#grantspass #homeless #homelessness
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About Invisible People
There is a direct correlation between what the general public perceives about homelessness and how it affects policy change. Most people blame homelessness on the person experiencing it instead of the increasing shortage of affordable housing, lack of employment, childhood trauma, lack of a living wage, or the countless reasons that put a person at risk. This lack of understanding creates a dangerous cycle of misperception that leads to the inability to effectively address the root causes of homelessness.
We imagine a world where everyone has a place to call home. Each day, we work to fight homelessness by giving it a face while educating individuals about the systemic issues that contribute to its existence. Through storytelling, education, news, and activism, we are changing the narrative on homelessness.
This isn’t just talk. Our groundbreaking educational content reaches millions of people every month. Our real and unfiltered stories of homelessness shatter stereotypes, demand attention and deliver a call-to-action that is being answered by governments, major brands, nonprofit organizations, and everyday citizens just like you.
However, there is more work to be done on the road ahead. Homelessness is undoubtedly one of our biggest societal issues today and will only continue to grow if we don’t take action now.
Invisible People is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to educating the public about homelessness through innovative storytelling, news, and advocacy. Since our launch in 2008, Invisible People has become a pioneer and trusted resource for inspiring action and raising awareness in support of advocacy, policy change and thoughtful dialogue around poverty in North America and the United Kingdom.
All Comments (21)
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Displaced: When Surviving Homelessness is a Crime https://youtu.be/eww5Ztb0ztY?si=I3t0P_HYwNc1D6v5
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Having all this misery and sending billions and billions of dollars to finance wars abroad ,it is inhuman and evil
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8 months ago, I was homeless while working a full time job. I was homeless for YEARS. I didn’t use drugs or drink. I just could not afford these insane rent prices alone. I got extremely lucky and found a way out. What is happening is an outrage!! This video got me a bit emotional. These folks are already down enough. I will never forget the feeling of hopelessness. Kicking people while they are down is NOT the solution. We are not supposed to knock people down further, we are supposed to lift people up. God bless the individuals who are helping the unhoused survive that nightmare and God bless you Mark for bringing awareness to such a disgusting situation. Also, that one shelter is not behaving very Christian-like. Disgusting.
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How can a country throw so much money into foreign aid when their own citizens are homeless with nothing?
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I was homeless.from 2013-2018. I did city streets for 2.5 years. 8 months in a shelter in San Antonio Texas. 9 States. 50 cities. Last place was Ashland Oregon. Lived in a tent there in multiple camps. AWAY from the cities. Flew a sign. My husband stayed at camp while I was out. And I stayed while he was out. 1 of us was always there. He passed in January 2018 from a heart attack. And I was blessed after that and was able to get up on my feet due to the community of Ashland and a personal friend. Now 6+ years later I'm in my childhood hometown with my daughter and 3 grandbabies. A job. My own place. Very grateful. 🙏
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Why are we helping everyone in the world except homeless Americans in need?
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I live in a small town in Texas, I was at a laundry mat when I saw this man sitting outside on the concrete, everyone was just ignoring him. I went over to talk to him , said he needed something to eat so I bought him lunch and gave him some money. No one ever stopped to see about him. I thought what if that was me? What if it happens to you one day?
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Voters are sick of homelessness, fuck man, the rent here is out of control. I've lived here and most people can't afford to live. Where are the homeless supposed to go? How do they afford to move?
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My wife and i were homeless in grants pass No business would hire us we would go to mcdonalds for wifi to apply for jobs to no avail...and if it wasnt for the The Davis Shows Northwest coming through town and hiring us we would have been in dire straits. we earned enough money to move to the east coast and rebuilt our life to a better situation, we owe them so much and just found out they closed for good. Thank You Davis Northwest
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US has plenty of money to supply weapons to Israel and Ukraine but not enough $$ to help its own citizens.
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We need to have an HONEST conversation about what is causing this epidemic of homelessness. If we are not allowed to talk about it, we cannot fix it.
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Criminal to sleep in a public space. Oh,lord. I wish the people judging would have to walk a week in their shoes. How is it so impossible to have empathy.
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How have we ended up in a world where people work more than one job and still can't afford the rent... disgusting!
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I became homeless after my wife passed away in 2021. I had a great job, was educated, had it all. Never thought it would happen to me, but it did. Most people are one paycheck away from this situation
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Sleep deprivation is a known torture method.
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Sober, working, homeless veteran. If i didnt have a van and a dog, i wouldnt feel human. Thank You All for Your Great Works 🙏🚂🎼🌹🎶🎵⚕️~C< 3)>>-Z->}
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As a proud US army veteran I say being housed is a right and not a privilege and being homeless is not a crime.
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The American Government should be ashamed of themselves for treating people like this.
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All the money we give to non citizens and we in America wont take care of our own.. just SICK
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my heart hurts seeing People living like this. SHAME ON people that look down on them for being homeless.
