For the most part I have tried to stay above the fray in regard to this past year’s Monroe Park controversy. As I have stated before, I appreciate neighbors’ efforts with the Monroe Park Advisory Council. Most City residents would like to see a cleaner park with better features (On a side note, others have tried to say the exact opposite in regard to the park and this neighborhood as some sort of elitist way to justify more encroachment by VCU and corporate entities). They understand the need to keep the existing trees and make Monroe Park a welcoming oasis in the surrounding concrete.
While I have sympathy for the Keep Monroe Park Open Campaign and I do support Food Not Bombs mission, (especially in the face of how many wars now?), I personally think that its not necessarily the end of the world for the local homeless or the public in general that the park be temporarily closed for needed renovations. With all due respect to the history of the homeless issue in Richmond, there are other public parks in the City (and there should be more public space created overall). I have tried to steer the controversy towards compromise, but in the end that’s where I stand.
However, I also stand with Food Not Bombs for the overall right to feed people in a public park (while taking personal responsibility for trash and safety). I am very troubled by what I am hearing from Florida where activists are being arrested for feeding the homeless. This country is headed for even worst times if this is what it has come to : making it illegal to nourish a fellow human being in need in an OPEN public park. I urge Richmond to fully consider what is at stake. I hope that we will not see this sort of fascism here and I hope that Food Not Bombs feels free to return to Monroe Park (or any other public park that they so choose) after renovations are completed.
It’s difficult to defeat the perception (and frequently the truth) that the homeless are not interested in improving themselves or their situation in life. When all you see are folks lounging in the park or drinking beer by the river, it’s hard to muster up sympathy. I’m far more interested in real, long-term solutions to homelessness, not these band aids that often strike me as self-serving.
Why can’t we get the City and/or local businesses and non-profits to donate or purchase a neglected property and have the homeless, trained by and working with professionals, refurbish the property into apartments or dormitories? Homeless that are interested in taking part in a strict program involving mental health treatment and volunteering for causes that benefit the City could stay here indefinitely. If demand increases for the program, more buildings can be fixed up. Not only are you truly helping the homeless learn new skills and gain confidence, you are taking unused buildings and giving them value again.
From Richmond FNB list:
Package to Orlando FNB was mailed out yesterday. Thanks SO much to everyone who sent money, treats, and notes! Anyone who wants to include a note or money or a treat, we might mail out another package to them next week. 4 more people were arrested this week for serving food.
Scott:
I’m glad to hear you aren’t opposed to the park closing temporarily for renovations. We have effective and generous agencies/churches/etc. throughout the city to provide meals and services while the renovations take place. These locations are well-known throughout the homeless and low-income community; however, if anyone is not familiar with the various sites they can contact Homeless Point of Entry for a list of the meal locations, or call 211.
I wish a compromise could be made too. I attended the community meeting months ago that was to serve as a public forum to decide what to do about the Monroe Park situation. I understand the frustration of some in attendance in that it seemed like the decision to close the park had been made and that the meeting was just a political play. But I also was shocked by the behavior of the protesters there. I was scared at one point and thought their actions were kind of excessive, especially given the very linear decision-making setting.
Thanks for keeping this in the spotlight.