Social Sciences Talk

Guest · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:40 pm Post subject: FREAK SHOW IN DENVER, PART V

Hey buddy, can you spare a movie ticket?
By Julie Poppen, Rocky Mountain News
Originally published 08:19 p.m., July 15, 2008

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/15/homeless-hey-buddy-can-you-spare-movie-ticket-duri/

Hundreds of Denver's homeless could be cooling their heels in a movie
theater or museum while the Democratic National Convention is in town
next month.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless plans to get 500 movie tickets
as well as passes to the Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature and
Science and other cultural facilities for the people it helps.

Bus tickets will be provided for events beyond walking distance, said
John Parvensky, the non-profit's president.

Many day shelters will have expanded hours during the convention, and
big screen TVs are being donated to some shelters so patrons can watch
convention goings-on without being caught up in the mayhem.

"We're trying to let folks know what activities are planned, and what
other places they'll be able to go without being harassed," Parvensky
said.

A two-day voter registration drive is also planned at shelters and
health clinics to ensure that metro area homeless people have access
to the polls in November.

Backers of the plan say it's a more sanitary and humane way to take
care of people.

But not everyone buys it.

"It just sounds like another way to get rid of them," said Kayne Coy,
17, who volunteers feeding the homeless twice a week at Civic Center
Park through the Food Not Bombs organization.

As for the convention, Coy said: "I've heard rumors that all the
homeless people are going to be sent away to Aurora or somewhere
else."

Parvensky vigorously denied that there will any attempt to hide the
homeless during convention, which runs Aug. 25-28.

Tight security around the Pepsi Center means some homeless people will
get booted out of their regular camps along the South Platte River.
Then, there's the protests and parades.

"A person who typically sits under a tree in a park that is now
occupied by 1,000 protesters won't have the peace and quiet they're
desiring," Parvensky said. "Particularly those with mental illness
can't cope with crowds."

Parvensky is confident Denver police won't target homeless people
unless a law is being broken. Aggressive panhandling and begging for
money in front of an ATM machine are both banned.

But he remains concerned for people's welfare.

"Our concern going forward is that the city doesn't control everything
- the Secret Service plays a role," he said. "We don't know what will
happen if protests get out of control and people get caught up in
something they didn't intend to."

But some homeless people also aren't enthusiastic about the plan.

Ronnie Wand, who was panhandling across the street, said he will
believe the free tickets when he sees them.

"I don't care," said the 62-year-old, who expects to land in jail for
vagrancy during the DNC.

Guest · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject: Re: FREAK SHOW IN DENVER, PART V

On Jul 16, 2:40 pm, PissingOffTheL...@excite.com wrote: