‘Ain’t no crime to be homeless’: community members rally against Safer Kentucky Act

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — “Standing together in love” is the motto for the Catholic Action Center’s ‘ain’t no crime to be homeless’ rally.

It was the community and the street voice counsel coming together and standing in love because there are a lot of difficult things happening in our world and in our state, Catholic Action Center co-founder Ginny Ramsey said.

The difficult things Ramsey is referring to is the passage of House Bill 5, which she says criminalizes homelessness, as well as the current supreme court case out of Oregon.

“It will be the most impactful law that has ever criminalized homelessness,” she said.

The Safer Kentucky Act, which goes into effect this July either fines or jails those who unlawfully camp in a park, under a bridge, or on the street.

“I often wonder what it would be like not to have a key to a place where you can lay your head,” Rep. George A. Brown Jr. said.

Many people in the Commonwealth know that feeling all too well, including just over 1,000 students in the Fayette County Public School District.

“I think it’s so ludacris to expect someone who is down on their luck to be arrested or pay a fine just because they’re trying to take care of themselves,” Council member Kathy Plomin said.

Despite the number of organizations to help those get back on their feet, most of the time they’re overcrowded.

“It’s the voice of the people. This is the United States of America, we have got to stand together and be sure that all men, women and children are cared for,” Ramsey said.

Which is why community members ask you to call your congressman, legislators, vote and help be part of the change.