Atlanta (June 2009) At an emergency hearing in Fulton County Superior Court Tuesday afternoon, Judge Ural Glanville ordered the City of Atlanta to restore water services for the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless. On the morning of June 22, the City of Atlanta shut the water off to the largest homeless Emergency Overflow Shelter in the southeast, where hundreds of homeless men and women are taking shelter from the scorching temperatures. An average of 750 individuals sleep at the facilities each night.
In partnership with big developers, the city has been attempting for years to eliminate poor and homeless people and those who serve them from downtown streets. The city turned off water service to a major part of the building many months ago, while other organizations and city departments with outstanding water bills have not had their services terminated. Before that, the Mayor's office intervened to stop the payment of a large government grant and has pressured other donors to stop funding the Task Force. Using homeless people as pawns, this action was the latest in an historic attack that has been spearheaded by former City Council Member Debi Starnes since before Mayor Franklin came into office.
Hundreds of community leaders, organizations, and individuals responded to the Task Force’s call for water and donations, bringing pallets of water, truckloads of ice, and even port-a-potties to the shelter. The Task Force still desperately needs support in the form of monetary donations to help with the outstanding water bill. To donate, please call (404) 230-5000, (404) 931-4554, or directly from this website using PayPal.com.
The judge’s decision represents a great victory for the homeless men, women, and children of our city.
For more info, please contact Anita Beaty at (404) 729-5366 or anitalawbeaty@aol.com.
