California Governor Gavin Newsom Decision to split The Supreme Court ruled that cities can ban homeless people from sleeping or camping in public spaces.
The 6-3 ruling overturned a lower court order, finding that such a ban violated the Eighth Amendment.
“Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime.”
Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote the majority opinion that included the Supreme Court’s conservative justices.
“Homelessness is complex and its causes are many, and therefore the public policy responses needed to address it are likely to be complex as well,” he wrote. “A handful of federal judges cannot ‘match’ the collective intelligence of the American people when it comes to determining ‘how best to address’ a pressing social problem like homelessness.”
Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote the minority dissenting opinion.
“Sleep is a biological necessity, not a crime,” she wrote. “For some people, sleeping outdoors is their only option.”
She also said some of the city’s actions against the homeless are “unjust and unconstitutional.”
National Homeless Law Center be criticized He said the ruling will make the homeless problem worse.
“In a deeply unfortunate decision today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the United States Constitution does not protect homeless people from cruel and unusual punishment, even when they have no choice but to sleep in public with a blanket, pillow or other covering,” the statement read in part.
“Arresting and fining people just trying to survive is costly, counterproductive and cruel,” he continued. “We are disappointed but not surprised that the Supreme Court has ruled against the interests of our poorest neighbors.”
“Crucial authority to implement and enforce policies to eliminate dangerous homeless encampments.”
While homeless advocates were stunned by the decision, Newsom said Said This will enable cities to better manage their public spaces.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass gives state and local officials crucial authority to implement and enforce policies to remove unsafe homeless encampments and help implement commonsense measures to protect the safety and well-being of our communities,” he wrote on social media.
Other California Democrats agreed.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed Said The order will allow the city to act more aggressively against homeless camps, the city said at a press conference.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, also a Democrat, criticized the administration and scolded cities for “trying to get away from this problem with arrests or hiding their homelessness in neighboring cities or prisons.”
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censorship and sign up for our newsletter to get stories like this one directly to your inbox. Register here!
