Nearly three weeks into the Occupy Asheville movement, the group has set up a semi-permanent camp at the parking area under the I-240 overpass on Lexington Avenue. Xpress talked with group member Helen Roberts about some of the group’s longterm goals, and their ongoing issues at the site.
Video by Steve Shanafelt for MountainX.com.
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Taking advantage of the free food? Who Homeless people? I hope that isn’t what you meant?
I was told by an AVL PD officer that indeed some local panhandlers and homeless people have been trying to infiltrate the OccupyAsheville site and are trying to take food and other things. That’s really sad.
Who can name all of the corporate products shown in this video?
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This isn’t an anti-corporate movement, timpeck. If you think it is then you simply aren’t paying attention.
She wants to stop corporate greed but stay well-fed and not help the homeless. Homeless are not part of the cause so they should go away. That is what I’m hearing.
Im in love!!!!!!!!! Notice these values of love, caring, sharing, giving, etc…….. and all they had to do is leave our Gov. out of the picture.lol
The homeless were welcomed into camp after being told requirements of No alcohol or illegal drugs, no violence, no stealing, and they had to participate at least an hour or two every day. That meant carrying a sign, waving to people, sweeping, or other things that needed to be done. Several homeless jumped at the chance to be needed…give a person purpose and they thrive… BUT…. being this was their home ground most stayed hid in the donated tents drinking alcohol all day then fighting all night. Police could do nothing unless they saw the fighting or drinking, even when the homeless were obviously intoxicated and had several garbage bags of cans and bottles as evidence. The medical tent was ransacked as well as the food and comfort tent. Nothing was safe or off limits. They took what they wanted and created chaos and discord. There was a Dr who came to volunteer his services as a psychologist even dispensing medication until someone recognized the good Dr as a patient and not a real one.
There is a need for services for these people and unless you have walked in their shoes, you do not know the illness they have.
The area under the bridge was know for disruptive criminal behavior. Why the Mayor and City Council put women and children in harms way shows how much they care about the people they serve, It was a battlefield!