As acknowledge by the lawsuits leader, Mark Ryavec, this lawsuit is a move to force those living in vehicles off Venice streets. The members of the Venice Stakeholders Association, an illustrated anti-homeless/persons campaign, has put a great deal of effort to keep their identities and the settlement details private. In my opinion these examples are the actions of cowards. I do have a strong message here because this is a social justice issue which is not offering effective solutions to address the actual issue at hand.
This proposed settlement impacts all Venice residents and beyond Venice by proposing to limit parking based on vehicle size, and potentially implementation of overnight parking permit restrictions which costs the people in fees, and in taxes to implement. and administer. The City of LA increases the revenue stream by parking permit fees, increased personnel to implement and administer the program but how does it really benefit the people who pay for this horrendous idea financially, and socially? This decision, if rushed through and adopted by the LA City Council and the California Coastal Commission, impacts all Venice residents and all visitors to Venice.
Imposing an enforcement tactic to rid the free Venice streets of people living in vehicles, including artist, performers, disabled persons, and senior citizens without a safe parking program that does not put people in "concentration camp" style locations, is a heartless, inhumane maneuver which compounds the trauma and harassment for the ALREADY at-risk members of our community. Let's work together to find effective solutions now to end homelessness instead of using this fear based, strong armed tactic.
Per Jim Smith of Free Venice Beachhead: L.A. City Council unveiled the settlement agreement with anti-RV advocate Mark Ryavec. Guess what? It's already in the May Beachhead. See:
http://bit.ly/dc1b1n
Read the Settlement Agreement documents for yourself at
http://www.freevenice.org/RV_Settlement.html
The lawyers' agreement must still go to the L.A. City Council vote to occur next week on June 2, 2010. HOW YOU CAN HELP! Email the LA City Council or join me at LA City Hall to oppose this settlement beginning with Councilmen Rosendahl from our CD11 at:
councilmanrosendahl@lacity.org
http://www.lacity.org/YourGovernment/CityCouncil/index.htm
Also this settlement has just been added to the California Coastal Commission agenda, on June 10th in Marina Del Rey. Assist with the letter writing campaign to the Coastal Commissioners, and join us in person to speak your voice on June 10th.
Talking points include keeping free access to parking in Venice, without free parking on public streets those that are economically challenged, aka, the poor will have less access to the Venice beach and coastal access, the general public access impact to one of the greatest tourist attractions - Venice Boardwalk.
Please join us united to demand that Venice remain the inclusive, diverse community since it's creation in early 1900. It's unlike any other place on earth. Venice is love. Love is free. We ask that you stand with us to keep Venice free.
Lisa Green
State Assembly 2010 Candidate, 53rd District
Green Party of California
http://www.votelisagreen.net
(310) 272 - 0949
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