Championing Justice in Fresno – Community Advocates

Fighting for Justice in Fresno

Recently, civil rights attorney Kevin Little took a stand against the City of Fresno by filing a civil complaint lawsuit on behalf of two homeless individuals, Wickey TwoHands and Joseph Quinney. Both individuals had been acquitted of no camping violation charges prior to Little stepping in to represent them. Little is providing pro bono representation to TwoHands and Quinney, as part of a broader effort to bring justice to all similarly situated individuals in similar circumstances.

The lawsuit comprises a range of grievances against the City of Fresno, including false arrest, malicious prosecution, unconstitutional property searches, violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and breaches of due process and state endangerment laws. Little asserts that these injustices are part of a larger pattern of systemic abuse against the homeless population in the city, culminating in a recent decision to intensify anti-camping ordinances.

The new amendments to the city’s anti-camping laws, passed on December 18, broaden the scope of criminalization to include pedestrians who are unhoused, enabling the city to issue restraining orders against individuals solely based on their housing status. Moreover, the revised ordinance could make the possession of basic necessities such as blankets, tents, or sleeping bags illegal, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the homeless community.

Rather than implementing solutions that address homelessness through housing and humanitarian aid, the City of Fresno has resorted to punitive measures, exacerbating the crisis. Kevin Little believes that the enforcement of these discriminatory laws disproportionately affects unhoused individuals, particularly minorities. He highlights a pattern of selective and discriminatory enforcement against the homeless population, coupled with inadequate provision of essential services and coercive practices.

In response to questions about the lawsuit and related issues, Little emphasized the imbalance in resources within the legal system regarding cases of no camping violations, as well as the disproportionate impact of these laws on minority communities. He urged the business community and residents of Fresno to adopt a more compassionate and sustainable approach to addressing homelessness, criticizing the city’s enforcement-centered strategies as ineffective and unsustainable.

Despite significant funding and enforcement efforts over the past two decades, Fresno continues to grapple with a high homeless population and a shortage of shelter beds, resulting in increased hardships for vulnerable individuals. Little’s lawsuit seeks to challenge the discriminatory practices and call for systemic changes that prioritize the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their housing status. By advocating for justice and fairness, Little aims to hold the city accountable for its actions and pave the way for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to addressing homelessness in Fresno.