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Indybay Feature

We're Number 1!

by Mike Rhodes (MikeRhodes [at] Comcast.net)
Fresno has the highest concentration of poverty of any large U.S. city.
600_poverty_in_fresno_exhibit_a.jpg
We’re Number 1!
Today (October 12, 2005) The Brookings Institute released an interesting study on poverty. They were focusing on New Orleans and how the concentration of poverty contributed to the disaster. What was amazing to those of us in Fresno is that they identified our city as having the highest concentration of poverty in any large U.S. city. New Orleans is number 2. You can read the full report here: http://www.brook.edu/metro/pubs/20051012_Concentratedpoverty.pdf
§Housing in Fresno
by Mike Rhodes (MikeRhodes [at] Comcast.net)
550_poverty.jpg
Fresno has the highest concentration of poverty in any large U.S. city.
§Thousands are homeless
by Mike Rhodes (MikeRhodes [at] Comcast.net)
550_homeless_in_fresno.jpg
All photos by Mike Rhodes
§New homes for the homeless
by Mike Rhodes (MikeRhodes [at] Comcast.net)
550_city_of_hope_3.jpgdfsv7a.jpg
Many of Fresno’s homeless have been moved into tool sheds. These sheds are at the Poverello House in downtown Fresno.
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by John Crockford (john [at] crockford.org)
A link to the full report plus other important information about the aftermath of Hurricasn Katrina is available on the Peace and Freedom Party's website at http://fresnopfp.org
by Dallas B
tentintrash.jpgwksmsl.jpg
Here's a photo showing how Fresno officials treat the Homeless.
by Dallas B
pushtent.jpgwksmsl.jpg
Another photo of a homeless sweep in Fresno.
In addition, the San Juaquin Valley is number one in the nation for poor air quality-back in the day it use to be Los Angeles....

Environmental Justice NOW!
Recent reports suggest dairy and other intensive farming operations play a huge role in Central Valley pollution

http://indybay.org/news/2005/08/1758930.php
by upton sinclair
Is that even the so called progressive media source in Fresno is selling us all short and impoverishing us all. We don't need a strong mayor or a strong editor, or any sort of hierarchical division from the true community that continues to get steamrolled by this sick capitalist system.

Quit selling us all out, and grow up...

Fresno Pheonix...
Only when the poor rise up and are allowed space to speak freely and represent themselves free of so called "leaders" will we trully be free of the poverty that plagues us all...

la lucha sigue...we are all leaders!!! - upton sinclair
by capitalist
You say that the homeless need to rise up ...... What good will that do? Why have other people made it just fine and these people haven't. Maybe they've relied on too much government and have never learned to make it without government. Maybe a little capitalism in that area will help give them jobs. Maybe there are too many illegals in the area.
by which side are you on?
The bum on the rods is hunted down as an enemy of mankind
The other is driven around to his club, is feted, wined and dined

And they who curse the bum on the rods as the essence of all that's bad
Will greet the other with a willing smile and extend a hand so glad

The bum on the rods is a social flea who gets an occassional bite
The bum on the plush is a social leech, bloodsucking day and night

The bum on the rods is a load so light that his weight we scarcely feel
But it takes the labour of dozens of folks to furnish the other a meal

As long as we sanction the bum on the plush the other will always be there
But rid ourselves of the bum on the plush and the other will dissappear

Then make an intelligent organised kick get rid of the weights that crush
Dont worry about the bum on the rods get rid of the bum on the plush

Notes
Utah Phillips writes
"This is a poem from George Milburn's book, The Hobo's Hornbook.

...you hear over and over again, "Nobody ought to get something for nothing." I've got to agree. You've got to work to eat.

I look at a factory. I see that everybody associated with that factory puts something in and they take something out. The workers put in their sweat and their skill, and they take out wages. The salesmen put in their skill and ability, and they take out commissions. The managers and foremen and people in the offices put in theirs, and take out salaries. But there's one group of people who take out more than they put in, and that more is called profit. I can't think of any other way to define it. That's a bunch of people who are getting something they didn't work for, and it's a whole lot. If we're really concerned about people getting just what they earn, if we're really concerned about people not getting something that they didn't put in time and sweat for, let's start with the major offenders, and get rid of them. Then we'll gradually work our way down to the petty chiselers. It just makes sense."
by capitalism and the free market
Uh, there is no free market, and from a global perspective, capitalism hasn't 'risen the tides'.
by Former Valley
You are both right about the air quality in the SJ Valley. It is horrendous! Not only do the intensive, industrial farming practices contribute to the air pollution, but there are also (suprize!) a lot of power plants that are killing people out there. In the Stockton area, air pollution worsened 63% in one year alone! (2003) When I lived there, practically everyone had asthma and allergies. At the pediatrician's office they handed out breathing machines for babies (to inhale steroids) who were younger than one year old!!!

The problem is that the people feel so tired and powerless. You would not believe the corruption in these cities!! In Stockton, despite widespread public opposition, the mayor and his cronies sold off their water rights to a foreign company! He should be condemned to life in prison for treason against the community he was sworn to represent! Gary Podesto and Gloria Namura are fucking traitors!

Much love to my social & eco justice warriors in the Valley. Its a tough roe to hoe, but you are not alone. Please keep on publishing and issue calls for solidarity when you need em.

Thanks for calling attention to the vast poverty here in the borders of our own state.
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