Good afternoon Housing Not Handcuffs supporters,

I want to tell you about what I saw yesterday outside the Deschutes National Forest. At 3:30 AM, under the cover of darkness, the Trump administration closed what we believe to be the largest homeless encampment on federal lands. Homeless Oregonians were kicked out of their communities with no place to go, under threat of 1 year in jail or $5,000 fines. People were scared, angry, and desperate for a safe place to live. It remains unclear if and how people will be allowed back in to collect their belongings, although logging trucks are able to enter the closed forest freely.  

Donald Trump began his 101st day in office by tearing homeless Americans away from their belongings, destroying communities and making homelessness worse. To actually solve homelessness, we need real leaders who will address the cause of homelessness and the most significant economic issue facing most Americans: the lack of affordable housing 

The people I’ve met here have been kind, resilient, and confused about why Trump — who many of them voted for — is focused on handcuffs and displacement, not housing and help.  

If you’re able, please donate to and share this fundraiser to support those affected by this eviction.  

Below are a few quotes from people who were displaced yesterday. Please also check out coverage from The New York Times, The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The Statesman Journal, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Oregon Live.  

• “They’ve told us that if we are not out, we will all go to jail. When I said, ‘Where are we supposed to go?’ They said, ‘It’s not our problem.” 
• “There’s nowhere for us to go,” he said. “They’re pushing us out.” 
• “What I don’t understand, and what is keeping me up at night right now, is where everybody is going to go?”
   

While we were not able to stop yesterday’s eviction, we will continue to try to stop governments from harming unhoused people, holding politicians accountable for their cruel actions and fighting for a country where everybody has the housing they need to thrive.