A federal judge ruled Oct. 4 that sweeps of homeless people and their belongings may continue as a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the city of Seattle’s rules regarding the practice moves through the court. Judge Ricardo Martinez denied motions filed by attorneys representing the plaintiffs — four homeless individuals impacted by sweeps, the Real Change Homeless Empowerment …
An initial ruling is expected soon in a lawsuit challenging how Seattle and Washington state are dealing with unauthorized homeless encampments in the city. Two homeless people sued last month, accusing the city and the state transportation department of violating the rights of people living outdoors by seizing and destroying their property while evicting them from and clearing away their …
When Jerry Burton’s sleeping bag and tent were removed by city workers from his campsite near a rapidly developing area close to downtown Denver, he was able to start over again with backup gear he keeps hidden for emergencies — whether his or someone else’s. Now he’s one of nine homeless people suing in federal court to try to stop the city’s sweeps of homeless encampments and, as he …
Thursday morning’s 10 a.m. hearing at the Alfred A. Arraj courthouse was significantly less crowded than last week’s for a class action lawsuit filed against Denver that alleges the city is violating the U.S. Constitution when it conducts regular sweeps of the homeless. Much of the October 20 hearing was spent affirming …