Five Quotes to Remember When Defending Food Not Bombs’ Right to Feed Unhoused People in De Anza Park

Dr. Goli Baheri reading letter from PDI

The quote that inspired the latest debate about whether or not unhoused people in Tucson deserve to be treated with respect and dignity was embedded in a tweet from the Tucson Police on their Park Safety account on February 7. TPD posted an announcement about Tucson City Code 21-4, asserting that it’s a crime to …

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COMMENTARY: No Access, Tucson

Photo by Norah Booth of mural on Access Tucson building. Shadows from the sunset are prominent Spring 2015

Last Saturday evening Access Tucson opened its doors to the public for the last time. The occasion was the bye-­bye bash for a community-­dedicated facility and concept that was the main concession Tucson received for its generous donation of city infrastructure to Cox Cable domination. Today, much of Tucson’s only access to internet is through …

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Mary DeCamp Speaks at 3/17/15 Call to the Audience

photograph of Mary DeCamp and a dog named Birdie; a road is in the background

Good evening mayor, council, workers, & audience members. Thank you for sharing your time and attention. I’m Mary DeCamp, a local activist. No permanent residence; more a butterfly approach to landing here and there, sampling the neighborhood nectars, as it were. I’m not paid to speak for anyone, yet I have the audacity to think …

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Mr. Mayor, Tear Down These Bars

Picture at sunset of the bars of the fence at the El Rio Golf Course

Mr. Mayor, tear down these bars.  Like Councilperson Romero told us over a year ago she intended to do.  Tear down the bars between the El Rio Neighborhood and the El Rio Golf Course and between the course and Joaquin Murietta Park, let nature and human nature breathe again, let heaven and nature sing without …

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A rebellion against the City Council plays out

Image of text from Tucson City Council Resolution 22006: "NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUCSON, ARIZONA, AS FOLLOVVS: SECTION 1. That the City of Tucson Mayor and Council hereby recognizes and supports the missions and long term viability of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the leadership of Davis-Monthan to make the appropriate decisions when balancing National Security and community needs when it comes to their existing and future military mission and assignments. SECTION 2. The various City officers and employees are authorized and directed to perform ali acts necessary or desirable to give effect to this Resolution. SECTION 3. WHEREAS, it is necessary for the preservation of the peace, health and safety of the City of Tucson that this Resolution become immediately effective, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage and adoption. PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUCSON, ARIZONA, February 20, 2013"

OCCUPIED TUCSON CITIZEN Members of Occupy Tucson and Tucson Forward made a forcible presentation against Resolution 22006 at the March 5 City Council Meeting. Seven of the ten members of the public who spoke out during the public comments section of the meeting (4 from Occupy Tucson, 2 from Tucson Forward, one not citing an …

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