THE OLIVE BRANCH
COMMUNITY
November 2002
Dear Friends,
Tragically,
Mayor Anthony Williams unilaterally eliminated the Reeves Municipal Center as a
hypothermia refuge in Ward 1. This facility served the critical function of
reducing tensions between the local Afro-American and Latino men who share the
overcrowded La Casa Shelter just blocks away. After a hypothermia death three
blocks from the center and an intense campaign (see articles), the Josephine
Butler Center was opened. The new facility is midway between La Casa and the
Reeves Center.
Since
that time, weather permitting, we have begun to serve lunch with additional
access to legal assistance in the neighborhood as part of an effort to assist
in the creation of a Latino women and a family shelter. It is very clear from
numerous meetings that these facilities are desperately needed.
A
few months later, the Mayor responds with a demonstration of his own. Dozens of
his and other government officials including police invade our home. After
excessively fining our landlord’s aging property, we are soon evicted at gunpoint
by US Marshals. We were forced to move very quickly. The new home is nicer but
more expensive (including transportation costs to and from our soup kitchen).
Unfortunately,
our work is not over yet, and we still need your help. There are many more programs
for the homeless but the fundamental need for housing and shelter continues to
crush the most vulnerable.
Meanwhile,
we are participating in and organizing resistance to the US military aggression
against the Iraqi people and police abuse against our own people
For
the community,