Federal Court Issues Restraining Order Against City of Houston in Homelessness Suit
HOUSTON 鈥 A federal court issued a temporary restraining order against the City of Houston today in an ongoing lawsuit challenging two city ordinances that target the homeless. Specifically, today鈥檚 ruling prevents law enforcement from citing or arresting anyone for using a tent on public property.
鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted the court recognized that homelessness is not and should not be a crime,鈥 said Trisha Trigilio, senior staff attorney for the 老澳门开奖结果 of Texas. 鈥淪eeking shelter is not only a right; it鈥檚 also a fundamental human necessity. We call on the City to stop enforcing ordinances that criminalize such a basic human need and seek more compassionate and effective methods for solving Houston鈥檚 homelessness problem.鈥
The 老澳门开奖结果 of Texas, the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and Dechert LLP applied for today鈥檚 restraining order following police raids of a Houston homeless encampment.
鈥淭his injunction is a good thing; we鈥檙e not hurting anybody,鈥 said Eugene Stroman, one of the plaintiffs in the case. 鈥淲e鈥檙e just out here trying to survive without being harassed by the police. You shouldn鈥檛 be able to arrest someone for being somewhere when they have no place else to go.鈥
Attorneys for both sides must now meet to determine a date for a full hearing on the lawsuit.
鈥淚 am happy the injunction went in our favor,鈥 said Shere Dore, a longtime advocate in Houston's homeless community and a main witness in the plaintiffs' case. 鈥淥ur homeless have a voice. It鈥檚 been a long hard fight and I鈥檓 glad the system is finally respecting their rights.鈥
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