As if things were not bizarre enough for the recent lawsuit against Cal-Trans organized by Where Do We Go Berkeley and members of the Berkeley "Ashby Homeless Encampment", Governor Newsom has decided to throw his ignorant thoughts into a misguided press release which luckily was ignored by most news outlets. WDWG firmly believes that it was no coincidence that a ruling from Federal Judge George Chen was due the next day. You can read an article about this by "Street Spirit" here
See Newsoms full text:
“Allowing individuals to live in encampments alongside our highways is not only hazardous but inhumane. Those who argue that the status quo is acceptable leave folks languishing on our roadways to face uncertain, unsafe and overall dire conditions. As a state, we’ve invested unprecedented billions in local governments to provide housing and implement bold, transformative solutions to move people off our streets and into urgently needed services.
“This litigation has significantly slowed our progress in Berkeley by preventing Caltrans from delivering on important efforts aimed at revitalizing California’s streets and public spaces through litter abatement and local beautification projects. It is critical that Caltrans be allowed to continue their vital work, especially in this case, where safer alternative housing had been identified for those currently living at the Ashby-Shellmound encampment. Housing should be left to local municipalities, which have been given more resources and support than ever before to address California’s homelessness crisis.”
Newsom poses with books in rustic dining environment while wearing casual business attire