Harassing the Homeless

Picture of "Park Closed to the Public" sign

Yes, the park is closed, sealed and sanitized, but they can’t close the sidewalks. City officials might think that closing Veinte de Agosto Park to human beings has rid them of the problem of homeless people in downtown Tucson, but they need only look at the continued presence of protesting homeless and just plain homeless …

Read moreHarassing the Homeless

Tim Steller asks Jon McLane: “But what about Mrs. Tolstoy?”

Picture of Safe Park in Tucson

In an episode of the old TV series Dragnet, an aspiring writer is having minor scrapes with the law because he is ignoring his financial responsibilities, especially to his wife. As he explains to Sgt. Joe Friday, he is having these troubles because he must focus his energy on trying to write a great novel …

Read moreTim Steller asks Jon McLane: “But what about Mrs. Tolstoy?”

Tucson Merchants’ Demand is Unconstitutional

photograph of John Cooper speaking at Homelessness forum

Read John Cooper’s full letter to Tucson’s Mayor and Council—Ed The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One’s right to …

Read moreTucson Merchants’ Demand is Unconstitutional

What Does a Homeless Protest Look Like?

Photo of sleeping pods at Safe Park on Church Ave (looking towards Broadway Blvd) taken 2/8/15

In a confused approach toward the homeless, Arizona Daily Star columnist Tim Steller’s recent articles capture some of our collective cultural ambivalence. On the one hand, Steller has tried to wake people up about our society’s neglect of the homeless. Last November, he wrote of his unease when voting for a proposition that would raise …

Read moreWhat Does a Homeless Protest Look Like?

Six West

Image of the number 6 on a sign from the building site

A New Housing Model for Tucson There is a nationwide conversation about low cost housing solutions. In cities like Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas, low income residents have taken the initiative to create their own villages. Here in Tucson, we are just starting the conversation. Some discussion took place within the Occupy Tucson movement, which …

Read moreSix West