Criminalizing Poverty
Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – Chattanooga City Council man Yusuf Hakeem says the city is not doing enough to find jobs for people, and fight poverty.
The problem of poverty is not new in Chattanooga.
But a recent arrest has brought the issue back into the spotlight.
On January 21st, Mendon John Price got arrested for aggressive panhandling outside the Tivoli Theatre.
That arrest upset officials from a local ministry fighting for social justice.
Beth Foster is the Co-Director of Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center.
"John, John is poor. He probably did ask people for money. He plays his harmonica for money. But John, John is one of the sweetest, most respectful, kindest people you would ever meet. There is nothing aggressive about John, John."
The arrest report says "Mr. Price is banned from many parts of downtown due to being a nuisance panhandler."
It continues "The Chattanooga Visitors Bureau lists Mr. Price as their number one problem downtown."
The President, and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau knows there are people struggling in Chattanooga.
But Bob Doak says his agency is not targeting people.
"We don’t have an enemies list on anybody in this city or this county. Our position is that we should as locals and our visitors should be able to come into downtown without being aggressively panhandled."
Chattanooga City Council Yusuf Hakeem sent the Mayor and Chattanooga City Council a letter.
Hakeem wants the city to do a better job at finding people jobs, do a better job at improving roads, and do a better job at fighting poverty.
"There are some areas that we allow so called panhandlers, and we know people spend a lot of money on structures. But we’re dealing with people."
Hakeem added, "We have to find a way of getting these people involved in our community in a positive sense."
The problem of poverty is not new in Chattanooga.
But a recent arrest has brought the issue back into the spotlight.
On January 21st, Mendon John Price got arrested for aggressive panhandling outside the Tivoli Theatre.
That arrest upset officials from a local ministry fighting for social justice.
Beth Foster is the Co-Director of Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center.
"John, John is poor. He probably did ask people for money. He plays his harmonica for money. But John, John is one of the sweetest, most respectful, kindest people you would ever meet. There is nothing aggressive about John, John."
The arrest report says "Mr. Price is banned from many parts of downtown due to being a nuisance panhandler."
It continues "The Chattanooga Visitors Bureau lists Mr. Price as their number one problem downtown."
The President, and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau knows there are people struggling in Chattanooga.
But Bob Doak says his agency is not targeting people.
"We don’t have an enemies list on anybody in this city or this county. Our position is that we should as locals and our visitors should be able to come into downtown without being aggressively panhandled."
Chattanooga City Council Yusuf Hakeem sent the Mayor and Chattanooga City Council a letter.
Hakeem wants the city to do a better job at finding people jobs, do a better job at improving roads, and do a better job at fighting poverty.
"There are some areas that we allow so called panhandlers, and we know people spend a lot of money on structures. But we’re dealing with people."
Hakeem added, "We have to find a way of getting these people involved in our community in a positive sense."
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