Homes for the Holidays - KWRU Members in Jail

Yesterday at 7 PM, five members of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union were arrested at City Hall during a Homes for the Holidays Campaign, trying to ensure that several homeless families got safe housing for the holidays. The five members arrested were: Cheri Honkala, Maria del Moral, Carol Caesar, Anne Kretzmann, and Lee Webster.

About 35 members and supporters came to the event outside the Mayor Street's office. During the event members shared their own struggles with homelessness. About 15 children sang Christmas Carols and freedom songs around an indoor Christmas tree. Most of the children present were homeless and will be homeless this Christmas.

Several single mothers tried to privately negotiate with officials from the Mayor's office to receive emergency housing for their families this season. Their requests were denied. During the event no one from the Mayor's office came to speak in public. Accompanying the Kensington Welfare Rights Union were a row of Philadelphia Police Officers, a few Civil Affairs officers, and a Channel 6 news reporter. The five members were arrested and charged with simple misdemeanor trespassing charges.

As of 8 AM this morning the 5 members of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union remained at the 9th District charged with simple misdemeanors and 3rd Degree Trespassing. The fact that these members have not been processed yet is clearly harassment Processing simple misdemeanors should have occurred hours ago. Members of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union are outraged that the City of Philadelphia can withhold fund for affordable housing when its citizens are clearly in desperate need.

People should call Mayor Street's office and demand the harassment of five of our members STOP: 215-686-2181.