John Balentine claims to “appreciate the plight of homeless people” (“Why do Portland’s homeless get special rights?” July 31) and has “long pondered” what would help “turn their lives around.” His appreciation, however, is superficial and his “ponder” shallow. He claims “drugs and alcohol, as well as mental illness and family breakdown” are major causes […]
homelessness
Posted inMaine, News
City Hall encampment ends, but some homeless still have nowhere to go
Portland is still searching for ways to provide basic needs to unsheltered homeless people after a 2-week protest at City Hall disbanded.
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Letter: Balentine needs a dose of reality
Special rights for the homeless! They and their White Walker-like advocates are setting up tent encampments on our property, like Portland’s own Army of the Dead (“Why do Portland’s homeless get special rights?” July 31). Woe is us! More hallucinogenic sausage ground from the mind of John Balentine. Having gone through what was probably an […]
Posted inMaine
Homeless encampment at Portland City Hall winds down
Only a handful of activists and a cleaning crew remained on site Saturday afternoon.
Posted inMaine, News
Homeless encampment at Portland City Hall shrinks, and cleanup begins
A few dozen campers remained on City Hall Plaza a day after organizers said they would wind down the protest encampment, but the crowd was shrinking.
Posted inMaine, News
Organizers winding down homeless encampment at Portland City Hall
The demonstration has lasted for more than 2 weeks, drawing dozens of homeless people who were struggling to find basic necessities after the closure of Preble Street’s day shelter.
Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: ‘Sleep Out’ has delivered a powerful message
Homeless activists and city officials should now negotiate an end to the 2-week-old encampment.
Posted inPortland Forecaster
Homeless protesters at City Hall say they’re staying put
The city, meanwhile, focuses on health concerns at the encampment and plans conversations with protesters about their demands.
Posted inMaine
Portland homeless encampment elicits sympathy, frustration
Some taxpayers say it shouldn’t be up to Portland alone to provide services for people in need, while others see the desperation of those living on the street as a failure of local leadership.
Posted inMaine
Morgan Locklear: Fiance stays at encampment because he uses medical marijuana
‘I just want to find a place with all of us under one roof, so we can raise our kids and they can be happy.’