OPINION: A Human ‘Right to Survive’ is Born in Denver

This Op-Ed by Emelyn Lybarger appeared on PagosaDailyPost.com on May 10th, 2019.

As the State of Colorado and City of Denver continue to ignore the core causes of a housing crisis that has pushed thousands onto the streets, Denver residents took the historic step of proposing a legally enforceable human “Right to Survive.”

The proposed law is the first of its kind because of its enforcement measures. It would have recognized a human Right to Survive in public spaces within the city and county of Denver — and would have given local residents standing to enforce the right.

“There are growing efforts to criminalize homelessness across the US. We will not let that happen here,” stated Terese Howard, an organizer with Denver Homeless Out Loud.

FOXNews shamelessly attacked the measure. The National Association of Realtors and other wealthy interests campaigned against it as well, outspending local supporters 25:1 to defeat it.

Read the rest of Emelyn Lybarger’s letter at its original source HERE.