Homeless advocates push for repeal of sit-lie law

Postcard campaign gathering steam to force action on city ordinances

By Kevin Harden

The Portland Tribune, Jun 4, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (34 Reader comments)

Homeless advocates are taking a campaign to the streets to repeal Portland’s anti-camping and sit-lie laws.

Sisters of the Road, one of the groups that, until a month ago, participated in the city’s Street Access for Everyone (SAFE) work group, has started a postcard campaign to fight ordinances that make it illegal to sit or lie on city sidewalks during business hours. Sisters of the Road and the Street Roots newspaper also are working to repeal an anti-camping ordinance, which they say is being used to sweep homeless people from the area.

Sisters representatives ended their participation in the SAFE work group in early May, capping relationship that had been rocky from the start two years ago.

“We don’t agree with where things are at right now,” said Michael Bounocore, associate director of Sisters of the Road. “We believe our energy is best used to repeal the ordinances.”

Portland’s sit-lie law was adopted a year ago and makes it illegal to obstruct a city sidewalk between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., without a legitimate reason, such as doing business or waiting in line for a service. The law doesn’t apply to some activities, such as playing street music or sitting on a bench outside a business.

Anti-camping laws prohibit camping on public property, including sidewalks, around the clock.

Together, the ordinances have the effect of forcing homeless people out of the downtown core, Bounocore said.

“We have these two laws that effectively work around the clock,” he said.

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