Protest pastor arrested (Standing-up for the homeless)

[Ian David]

Black Collar DoGoodery

By Dean Wong
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

The Rev. Rich Lang was handcuffed and arrested on June 9 as he protested against the city's policy of cleaning up homeless camps in local parks and greenbelts.

Lang, pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church, was one of 15 people taken briefly into custody when they blocked the intersection of Cherry Street and Fourth Avenue during the protest at city hall. A tent placed in the street had the words "Stop the Sweeps," written in red ink.

In the past, the city would go in and remove encampments, including people's belongings, which were disposed of.

"When you are homeless and don't have much, what you have, you need," said Lang.



More:
http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/articles/2008/06/18/news/local_news/news02.txt

[elocs]

1. Jesus was a homeless man.

Matthew 25:34-40

34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

[silverojo]

2. Gotta love it.

This guy's arrested for helping the homeless, while priests (for some "mysterious" reason) can't be arrested for aiding and abetting people who entered this country illegally (which, by the way, is an actual crime).

BTW, it's one thing to sweep out homeless camps, but stealing and destroying what few possessions they have? There's a special place in hell for the cops who didn't say, "F*** you!" to the people who ordered them to do this.

[Ian David]

3. Entering the country illegally is a civil infraction equal to a parking ticket, not a crime. n/t