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Let's start on some work in de-criminalizing poverty.
Want to join me?
A huge amount of injustice is baked in to state law, but most of us can't be state legislators.
However, state legislators are far more likely to be responsive to you than federal legislators.
Want to join me?
A huge amount of injustice is baked in to state law, but most of us can't be state legislators.
However, state legislators are far more likely to be responsive to you than federal legislators.
Let's walk through contacting them, and start working together on tackling issues.
I'm going to demonstrate Maine, but every state should have something similar.
Step 1: who the heck are they?
In Maine, we have a handy-dandy look up option.
https://www1.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_lookup.php
I'm going to demonstrate Maine, but every state should have something similar.
Step 1: who the heck are they?
In Maine, we have a handy-dandy look up option.
https://www1.maine.gov/portal/government/edemocracy/voter_lookup.php
When you type in your address, you'll get the information for voting...but you are looking for the information under the elected officials tab.
Here are mine.
Print your state elected official info out and keep it handy.
This is a starting place to change state law.
Here are mine.
Print your state elected official info out and keep it handy.
This is a starting place to change state law.
Maine's state legislature is not currently in session, but let's give them some work for when they come back.
If you aren't in Maine, your state probably has similar laws to what I will call out. Let's get justice everywhere!
We'll start with something easy, drinking in public.
If you aren't in Maine, your state probably has similar laws to what I will call out. Let's get justice everywhere!
We'll start with something easy, drinking in public.
Drinking in public! How is that helping de-criminalize poverty?!?!
You know who is charged with drinking in public? Those who are homeless. They get arrested, lose everything they own, rinse, repeat. It's total shit.
People with money drink at home or in restaurants/bars.
You know who is charged with drinking in public? Those who are homeless. They get arrested, lose everything they own, rinse, repeat. It's total shit.
People with money drink at home or in restaurants/bars.
But, but, but won't we have angry, drunk mobs of homeless people milling about everywhere?
No. Disorderly conduct is a different crime, that's what they use on the tourists who don't watch their consumption at Porthole and stumble loudly back to their boat/hotel/taxi.
No. Disorderly conduct is a different crime, that's what they use on the tourists who don't watch their consumption at Porthole and stumble loudly back to their boat/hotel/taxi.
But, but, but what about drinking and driving?!?! Also a different crime.
There are a LOT of crimes.
And if you are struggling to have compassion for homeless people drinking, then this will let you pop your bougie barefoot bubbly on the park and have a proper brunch picnic.
There are a LOT of crimes.
And if you are struggling to have compassion for homeless people drinking, then this will let you pop your bougie barefoot bubbly on the park and have a proper brunch picnic.
Next step: when you write your legislators, be specific.
Tell them what you want.
Start by looking up the problem statute.
Include a copy with written correspondence, or a link with email to the statute.
Here we're talking about Title 17, §2003-A.
Tell them what you want.
Start by looking up the problem statute.
Include a copy with written correspondence, or a link with email to the statute.
Here we're talking about Title 17, §2003-A.
Pro tip: find the § using the insert symbol feature in the program you are using, or just cheat, google "symbol for section", copy and paste.
Next draft an email to your legislators telling them what you want, in this case "repeal Title 17, §2003-A".
You can get fancy and explain why, or just write a simple sentence - go with your comfort level.
Heck, point them to me. I'll tell them why.
You can get fancy and explain why, or just write a simple sentence - go with your comfort level.
Heck, point them to me. I'll tell them why.
If you want to put detail in your letter, get creative and give several good reasons. Basic human rights should be enough, but apparently it's not.
Give a stick - costs taxpayers!!!!
And a carrot - market forces and good for business!!!
Give a stick - costs taxpayers!!!!
And a carrot - market forces and good for business!!!
Ready to make this magic?
We're going to make this audience participation.
State legislators don't get all that much feedback, let's flood their inboxes with this issue everywhere in the country.
Once you've sent yours in, get a friend to do it - get 1 each day until Oct.
We're going to make this audience participation.
State legislators don't get all that much feedback, let's flood their inboxes with this issue everywhere in the country.
Once you've sent yours in, get a friend to do it - get 1 each day until Oct.
Here's what I want from you...
Once you've done yours, quote-tweet this tweet with the following:
Your state
law
#FixOurLaw
For me that's:
Maine
Repeal Title 17, §2003-A
#FixOurLaw
The best thing twitter can do is help us work together to fix democracy.
Ready, set, go.
Once you've done yours, quote-tweet this tweet with the following:
Your state
law
#FixOurLaw
For me that's:
Maine
Repeal Title 17, §2003-A
#FixOurLaw
The best thing twitter can do is help us work together to fix democracy.
Ready, set, go.
