Rights of the Homeless

(Based on the Homeless Constitution by Mack Mavrick)

We, the homeless of the United States, are citizen of this country. As citizens, we declare that we should be treated as full citizens and not as outcasts. We have the right—as every other citizen—to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

A. We have the right to be treated equally with every other citizen regardless of income, race, religion, political opinion, sexuality, appearance, mental illness, handicaps or disabilities (even when self-inflicted).

B. We have the right to sleep, as all citizens have the right to do what is necessary to ensure their own survival.

C. We have the right and need to use public restrooms for public health reasons. We request that sanitation stations be erected in each major city of the United States for public health.

D. We have the right, as guaranteed by the Constitution, to gather together in public spaces, such as parks, sidewalks, and opens spaces for public use.

E. We have the right not to have our possessions taken from us by the government without due process.

F. We have the right not to be unduly harassed by state or local police. If the police see us involved in illegal activity, then they have the responsibility to question us, but if we just “look homeless” then we insist that we have the right to be left alone

G. We have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, just as any other citizen. Strangers or passersby calling out “get a job” or “bum” is the equivalent of a racial slur.

Please check out the website about the dehumanization of the homeless on http://www.nowheretolayhishead.org/dehumanization.html