Letter: Rally to support unhoused Mainers

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This is a call to action to all Mainers! Please come rally with us in Portland at 11 a.m. on April 22 at Monument Square. We will be rallying in conjunction with and absolute solidarity with the National Coalition for the Homeless which is rallying that day on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. The court is slated to hear the landmark case of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson — basically one of the biggest cases of our lifetimes concerning homelessness and the criminalization of homelessness.

Portland, Maine, is one of dozens of cities nationwide holding support and solidarity rallies. At question is whether it is cruel and unusual punishment, a violation of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, to arrest and/or level fines to people for being homeless and existing in public spaces when they otherwise don’t have anywhere else to go. The decision isn’t expected to be handed down until June. Please come out and stand in support and solidarity with our unhoused brothers and sisters in Maine and across this great nation!

Zach Moore
South Portland