Good morning Housing Not Handcuffs supporters,

Dear John, 

I just arrived in Deschutes, Oregon where tomorrow, homeless Oregonians will be forcibly evicted by the Trump Administration. As of April 29th, nearly 100 people were still residing in the forest, setting the stage for possibly the largest federal eviction of a homeless community in recent history. Click here and here to watch two short videos from people living in the forest who have bravely shared their story. 

Below are 3 things you can do right now to support people living in the forest:  

1. Read our full statement that includes testimonials from people living in the forest.
2. Donate to people living in the forest
3. Demand that Trump stop the eviction 

Tomorrow’s eviction is a flashpoint for America’s failure to solve homelessness.

This eviction comes amid a nationwide increase in homelessness caused primarily by the worsening housing crisis. As we speak, the Trump administration is pushing through cuts and policy changes that will make homelessness worse while and threating to force homeless people into government-run detention camps. And, of course, this eviction comes 10 months after the shameful Grants Pass decision. Since that ruling, over 150 cities have passed laws that make it illegal to be homeless but do not help anybody. 

The fear and panic on the ground are real. People don’t know where they will go and don’t know what will happen to their belongings. Just like the frequent encampment evictions in cities and states across the country, tomorrow’s eviction will make homelessness worse by severing ties with services, exacerbating health conditions, destroying communities, and wasting resources. 

At the end of the day, Donald Trump still has the power to stop this eviction. Click here to send him an email and let him know that you are watching. 

Sadly, this is consistent with Trump’s policies to make homelessness worse. And, like most of his policies, this eviction hurts us all, but hurts Black, brown, immigrant, queer and disabled folks the worst. We need leaders to solve the root cause of homelessness- the lack of housing and healthcare that people can afford- not waste time and money evicting people just trying to survive. 

Onward,

Jesse, sent on behalf of the Housing not Handcuffs Campaign