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Rally would put homeless folks on nation's doorstep

A Mahaffey Theater protest threatens to overlap a GOP presidential debate.

By CRISTINA SILVA, Times Staff Writer
Published November 25, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - In what could be the latest showdown between homeless activists and city officials, nearly a hundred homeless men and women are scheduled to rally outside the Mahaffey Theater on Sunday night in a four-day protest leading up to the Republican presidential debate Wednesday.

The Rev. Bruce Wright, a longtime activist for the homeless and frequent critic of the city, said he organized the event hoping that the glare of the national media would "shame" the city into "doing the right thing."

The debate "should not be an excuse to hide the reality we are dealing with," Wright said. "We are facing the same problems as any other city in terms of affordable housing and homelessness."

Wright said he has sent a list of demands aimed at protecting St. Petersburg's homeless to city officials and will call the rally off if his requests are met before Wednesday.

He wants the city to sign a resolution that would protect homeless men and women who do not want to move to Pinellas Hope, a 250-bed outdoor shelter to open in December in unincorporated St. Petersburg. A city ordinance prohibits sleeping on the public right of way if shelter space is available. Wright said that many homeless people are worried that they will be jailed or fined once Pinellas Hope opens.

Wright also wants the city to set aside money for permanent shelters and provide housing for homeless men and women with children. Pinellas Hope will not accept families.

But city officials say they already have ordinances in place that protect the homeless.

City Council Chairman Jamie Bennett, a member of the Pinellas County Homeless Leadership Network, said Pinellas Hope will provide dozens of homeless people with a secure place to sleep while the city and county work to secure funding for permanent shelter.

"We have had hundreds of people, both elected and not elected, working on this issue now for years," he said. "So I'm trying to understand how this protest is going to help anyone up off the sidewalk. How is this going to help St. Petersburg?"

Bennett said Wright could better serve the homeless by working with, not against, the city.

"This is just simply about his aggrandizement," Bennett said. "Every year he does something."

The rally will start with an interfaith service led by Wright outside Mahaffey Theater on Sunday, with a public meal afterward. Homeless activists will then begin a hunger strike. They are expected to join dozens of homeless people and sleep in blankets and sleeping bags outside the theater until Thursday morning, Wright said.

On Wednesday, Wright will lead a protest outside the theater during the live debate.

It's unclear just how close he and his supporters will be able to get to the Mahaffey.

St. Petersburg police spokesman Bill Proffitt said several roads around the theater will be closed for security purposes Wednesday. He declined to specify which streets will be affected.

Proffitt said protesters will be allowed to gather around the Mahaffey on Wednesday as long as they follow the law and are peaceful.

"When we secure the area, if there are people who refuse to leave they will probably be given a warning," he said. "If they don't leave, they could be arrested. It all depends on what happens."

The city could face another homeless-related public relations disaster if the protesters are confronted by police. In January, the city earned national criticism after its police officers were filmed slashing the tents of dozens of homeless people. The video was uploaded onto youtube.com.

Wright said he has his lawyer on standby in case anything goes amiss Wednesday.

"We are just trying to raise awareness," he said. "It seems like the only time the city responds to any real problem is if somehow they are made to look bad."

Fast Facts:

Four-day protest

Sunday

6 p.m. - Dinner for the homeless community.

7 p.m. - Interfaith service that kicks off the three-night sleep-in and hunger strike by clergy, students and homeless activists on the sidewalks outside Mahaffey Theater.

Wednesday

6 p.m. - Rally with bipartisan organizers of "Rise Up 'Cause the System in Broken."

7 p.m. - GOP presidential debate, Mahaffey Theater.

For more information or to help, call (727) 278-1547 or (727) 560-9716 or e-mail forthehomelessbythehomeless@yahoo.com.

[Last modified November 24, 2007, 20:20:49]