5/3/04: 11 housing activists were arrested today after linking arms in Mayor Gavin Newsom's office in protest against the implementation of Care Not Cash, which slashes general assistance payments to the city's poor. The activists were charged with failure to disperse and trespassing, and are expected to be cited and released this evening, according to the Sheriff's Dept.
Care Not Cash is being phased in starting today following an appellate court ruling last week. The program will supposedly replace cash benefits with housing and other services; however the city, which is in the midst of a massive budget crisis, is not mandated to provide services. The Coalition on Homelessness held a rally at City Hall today to protest the decimation of welfare assistance, overcrowded shelters, and criminalization of homelessness. Housing activists are demanding an end to the lock-ups, restoration of cash aid, and real housing for those who need it. The Mayor's office did not return calls about this story. Report from Arrestee | May 10: SF Housing Rally - Right to a Roof | Coalition on Homelessness