Supporters of Homeless Community Hold 'Loiter-in' Demonstration

Dozens of advocates for Columbia's homeless community gathered Tuesday for a peaceful demonstration on Main Street to show opposition to a proposed plan for the city's homeless.

Many participants, both supporters and the homeless, wore the letter "H" and walked along Main Street between Hampton and Blanding streets before stopping in front of the Columbia Museum of Art.

Organizers say the event was held to give people an opportunity to have their voices heard about a proposed Emergency Homeless Response plan by Councilman Cameron Runyan, which calls for the city's winter shelter to open early in September and for the homeless - about 1,600 people - to be transported there for meals and other services.

Ken Oliver, an organizer of Tuesday’s “loiter-in," said he came up with the idea for the event to raise awareness of the issues and keep the conversation going in the community."

“It’s an issue that doesn’t have any easy answers.”

Lamar Wright, a 24-year-old homeless man, describes Runyan's proposals as "shoot from the hip" plans.

"They really didn’t think about the points they brought up and analyze it," Wright said. "We should try to help everybody. You shouldn’t kick a man when he’s down, help him back up."

"They don’t know the whole story about everyone out here."

Wright said the behaviors of some does not represent all homeless people and urged council to develop a plan that wouldn't criminalize being homeless but one that will provide "real solutions."

"I just want people to know that we’re human and all of us need help," Wright said. "There are a lot of mentally ill people out here, people who can’t read or write, can’t provide for themselves and have nowhere to go."

"If we let people like this fall through the cracks, we have failed as a society," he said.