"We can't order people to stay home from work, then expect them to pay rent." Sandy Perry of the Affordable Housing Network nails it.

10+ hours into this San Jose City Council meeting, we're on public comment on agenda item 8.3 - canceling some back rents that people can't pay.

The memo is already withdrawn - the City Attorney advised Council that it's unconstitutional.

Or "very unconstitutional" as one "accidental landlord" said.

Michael Trujillo, attorney from @LawFoundationSV giving comment to debunk the constitutional argument.

You can watch here - public comment still going. Folks from @Cal4Justice and @surjsacredheart just spat fire.

@SOMOSMayfair speaker: People don't have any resources. They need to pay their rent... You're very comfortable in your homes but a lot of people don't have that luxury.

Business roundtable nerd asks for money for property owners ("renter assistance program")

@SOMOSMayfair speakers: "We must use an equity lense." Emphasize undocumented community and burden of back rent. Folks who are left out of unemployment insurance and other programs.

One VTA worker and tenant: "I believe many tenants are having extreme financial hardships and will not receive stimulus checks" because of documentation status. We need a rent pause!

One landlord says many landlords are working class or whatever

@wpusanews speaker: "San Jose's authority in this time to save lives in a pandemic - is that trumped by landlords' right to reap profits in a disaster from workers with no income, no savings?"

A comrade: "Folks becoming homeless due to COVID-19 will create a whole new crisis that we do not have the tools to solve. Housing is a human right. And housing is also healthcare!"

Mayor Liccardo (D-Google) says public comment will be cut off at midnight. No new speakers can get in the queue

A transplant engineer who's actually paying attention to what's going on: "Charity in the middle of this crisis is not enough... We need to explore more systemic solutions to respond to this crisis."

Speaker: "I'm an immigrant and I'm a full time college student. I've also worked two jobs both of which I was laid off from and I have no income right now... People like me cannot afford to pay back rent when a flood of evictions begins when this crisis is over.

"The eviction moratorium isn't enough. A lot of folks who don't have proper documentation... or get paid in cash and don't have pay stubs don't get covered.

"These are unprecedented times. Thousands of people are about to be on the street in a few months when eviction courts open. It's time to be creative and reconsider @LawFoundationSV's memo and suspend and cancel rent!"

VietUnity & @PACTSJ speaker: "We shouldn't have to choose between our health and our housing."

Best comment: "I'm just really disappointed with all of you."

people: "hi i literally cannot pay my rent"
this speaker: "uhh have you heard of MATH?"

Speaker pleads for permanent solution. No more bandages.

"I am a landlord, but first of all... I am a human being." Landlords are "always sacrificed."

Speaker does not address whether landlords are a bunch of mice inside an elaborate suit.

@caanet representative speaks; should not have spoken

Like, we cannot emphasize how much @caanet should just quit

Transit advocate @monicamallon: Council must read @LawFoundationSV memo. Paying back rent "impossible for many people who were not able to work during this time. ... You're here because at some point, your constituents thought that you were leaders. Now is the time to prove it."

Comrade: "If someone feels that protecting renters is unconstitutional, let them challenge the statute.
Article 5 of the Constitution talks about deprivation of property, yes. But property follows life and liberty!"

@wpusanews speaker: "We are setting ourselves up for a mass wave of evictions... thousands of folks of color are going to be displaced or saddled with debt."

@pslweb comrade: I understand people have legal concerns, but we are in a crisis. Must use our imagination. State and federal law were legislated by landlords. City must show leadership. Calls on governor to cancel rent & mortgages, stop utility shut-offs

"I am a small mom-and-pop landlord. I do get it: humans have basic needs..."

Proceeds to question whether we should provide other basic needs beyond shelter. . .

Guy identifies himself as "both a renter and a landlord." Cautions members of council against putting forward proposals because this is such an "emotional" issue.

Wonder why people are so emotional about their housing . .

Final speaker: "I am really disappointed." Urges council to look at rent cancellation. "What's going to happen when everyone loses their homes?"

After comment on 8.3 ended, council voted to agendize a rent freeze for rent controlled units, to be discussed next week. This would be far short of the withdrawn memo.

On to an open forum.

"Landlords made an investment. They took a risk. Profit and revenue are not human rights; rather, housing is a human right."