“We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all our citizens, whatever their background. We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.” (President Franklin D. Roosevelt) Although the quote above was given in 1940, the sentiment is applicable to this modern day. In the United States of America, rights are given to citizens and protected predominantly by the Bill of Rights, however, some are found throughout the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Despite being insured to all citizens, people living in poverty are denied these by oppression and injustice that drives the wedge that attacks the basic ideals of a republic. As stated by BuisnessDictionary.com,
…show more content…
In particular, citizens that are homeless experience this bias. Many cities have instituted laws which promotes the criminalization of the homeless. Out of all American cities, 56% prohibit loitering and 40% prohibit sleeping in public places. Those same cities do not have requirements to provide a homeless shelter or community center for these citizens. When the homeless have nowhere to go, it becomes illegal to be nowhere. Additionally, many homeless cannot afford an Identification Card, which prohibits them from being able to register for any help that is available and to vote. (nlchp.org) The Interagency Council of Homelessness along with the Department of Justice issued a report in 2012 stating that the criminalizing of the homeless “may violate the constitutional and human rights of homeless people, including U.S. treaty obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture.” (homelessnesslaw.org) The general welfare to this class of citizens is threatened by undermining their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as they attempt to complete everyday
In particular, citizens that are homeless experience this bias. Many cities have instituted laws which promotes the criminalization of the homeless. Out of all American cities, 56% prohibit loitering and 40% prohibit sleeping in public places. Those same cities do not have requirements to provide a homeless shelter or community center for these citizens. When the homeless have nowhere to go, it becomes illegal to be nowhere. Additionally, many homeless cannot afford an Identification Card, which prohibits them from being able to register for any help that is available and to vote. (nlchp.org) The Interagency Council of Homelessness along with the Department of Justice issued a report in 2012 stating that the criminalizing of the homeless “may violate the constitutional and human rights of homeless people, including U.S. treaty obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture.” (homelessnesslaw.org) The general welfare to this class of citizens is threatened by undermining their rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as they attempt to complete everyday