Madison’s faith community will gather to respond to the ticketing of homeless people for trespassing at a press conference today at 4:30 p.m. on the steps of the City County Building in downtown Madison. Organizers say that they are gathering to challenge elected officials to step back from their increasingly punitive responses to their brothers and sisters living on the margins who are vulnerable and suffering.

Speakers at the event will include Rabbi Jonathan Biatch of Temple Beth El; Rev. Amanda Stein of Bashford UMC; Rev. Eldonna Hazen of First Congregational UCC; Rev. David Hart, Rev. Michael Schuler of First Unitarian Society; Rev. Stephen Marsh of Lake Edge Lutheran; County Supervisor Carousel Bayrd; County Supervisor Al Matano; Karen Andro on behalf of First UMC; and Linda Ketcham, director of Madison-area Urban Ministry.

“Ours is city that has become hostile to poor and hurting people. Instead of solutions like increased development for affordable housing, we get increased government giveaways to corporate interests a la Judge Doyle Square. Instead of more housing stock that poor people can afford, we get tickets for trespassing,” said Ketcham. “We know the solution to homelessness is housing, yet our city and county continue to criminalize poverty and blame those who cannot find a home within their means, nor a landlord who will rent to them.

“This is not our call,” she added. “As people of faith, our call is to welcome the stranger, to offer shelter. We will gather to lift our voices and bear witness to the criminalization of the poor in our community.

For more information about the press conference, contact Linda Ketcham at [email protected]