[amc] Enchanted Evacuee Encampment
- From: "Ray Gingerich" <RGingerich@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Austin Mennonite Church" <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 3 Sep 2005 20:19:01 -0500
----- Original Message -----
From: "Debbie Russell" <debstuff@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <austinagainstwar@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <austinspokes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 5:49 PM
Subject: Enchanted Evacuee Encampment
IN AUSTIN:
The Berger Center is shut down, and the 'people in charge' are blatantly
being racist and ugly over there, Sterling Lands was not exaggerating for
those that thought as much...as soon as I got out of the car, I had to help
an African-American woman (a new friend from Crawford--she's an awesome
activist) who was about to be arrested for "stealing" when she merely took a
blanket from another woman for the small encampment she was setting up. Best
and worst comes out in folks in times like these...
We need to work as grassroots as we can--going through the system might have
it's benefits/resources, etc., but if people trying to help are being
mistreated, one can only imagine how those in need are being treated. The
government and the Red Cross are failing in this mess--it's up to us, as it
should be, the people, to show humanity and expand our boundaries at all
levels to take care of our neighbors.
Come help build a grassroots encampment to house refugees in Austin - see
below how you can help.
We have made a good deal of progress at the Enchanted Forest (site #1) and
need more help/supplies/donations for those that will stay here (laundry
money, etc.). We have several non-profits on the fringes of this and will
announce shortly which one people can cut checks to for tax exempt purps.
Come help set up more camp 'villages' - work crew times (show up when you
can):
Saturday, Sunday & Monday:
9am-1pm
5pm-8pm (except on Monday, morning shift only)
Bring some work gloves and basic tools (while you are there--rakes, shovel,
hatchet) - or come by and help with donation sorting and other less physical
jobs.
The wonderful site is located at 1404 W. Oltorf, just one block east of S.
Lamar, you can park in Office Depot across street--look for the fabulous
fence and geodesic dome structure inside. Signs will point the way to the
"center camp" where people will be milling about making plans and creating
alternative solutions to our failed society!
To address the 2 naysayers who don't get it: yes, camping is not an ideal
solution for those who have lost their home. Personally, and many people I
know agree, I would MUCH rather be camping in a private tent on this
beautiful community-minded land (with actual infrastructure, workshops,
living areas, shower, toilet--portapots coming Monday, etc) instead of
laying on a cot in a large auditorium, feeling like cattle in a pen--with
all that pent up emotion and awful Red Cross and law enforcement mentality
screaming at me and making me feel worse than I do already (not to mention
the other negative aspects: toilets overflowing, etc.). We are very well
aware that this solution isn't ideal for every displaced person, and will
certainly paint an accurate description to potential guests - while we hope
EVERYONE in Austin (naysayers, you?) will step up and give everyone a room
or a couch inside their homes, but we are preparing for that not being the
case - and are also acting as a conduit for that purpose too. If you are
willing to house someone for potentially 2-3 months (!), come to the EF and
get people! PLEASE! (but not yet, we're expecting our first wave of folks
tonite). We have to find TONS of solutions: we are looking at potentially 1
million refugees in Texas, maybe more...the situation is only getting worse.
So, if you have a way to house 100 people in a/c, go for it! But until then,
STFU! ;) This is a relaxing, calming environment and I think people might
actually find it a haven vs. a burden, considering all that they've gone
through. We'll see. But THEY get to make up their minds once it is offered,
no one will force them to stay here. ANYWAY!----
DONATIONS NEEDED:
(please go ahead and take all clothes donations to Goodwill--they will
process them and dole out accordingly) otherwise, drop off at anytime -
donation receiving area in front of property.
WATER, WATER, WATER, gatorade & Emergen-C
money donations for basic infrastructure items (we are also looking for gas
$ and gas can donations for rescue missions) -- to develop Site 2 if we need
it, we're looking at more infrastructure needs (it's 10 acres and could
potentially house 500+)
ice chests (ice donations starting Sunday)
MINI flashlights
baby supplies (diapers, formula, ointments)
canned and non-perishable foods
fresh fruit and other produce starting Sunday
shelter: tents, shade structures, folding tables, camp chairs, tarps (mark
all with your name, including cover bags)
mattresses, air and pads
bedding: sleeping bags and sheets and blankets
toilet paper
soaps: dishwashing, hand, HAND SANITIZER pumps, laundry
wet ones
trash bags
boxes and bins
pots and pans
dishes/cups/silver (PLEASE NO DISPOSABLE PLASTIC WEAR)
towels/rags
bug spray
propane--small cannisters
poison ivy killer (most has been addressed, just want to make sure for
exploratory kiddoes)
"Technu" (for those kiddoes that found it before we did!)
sunscreen
aluminum foil
ziplock baggies
tupperware
Refrigerator anyone?
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