I have way more of a problem with the way the writer of the article framed the situation than I do with the actions of the protestors. I can understand them having an issue with people who are not involved in the protest coming and taking advantage of their resources, especially if they're causing trouble or harassment etc.
There is absolutely no acknowledgement that some of these "freeloaders" and "professional homeless people" are themselves victims of the same financial injustices that the protest is all about. If someone is starving and living on the streets, can you really blame them for taking advantage of free food being offered to anyone who asks for it? You may or may not decide to give it to them, but I think they deserve compassion for needing to ask. Also the assumption is that long term homeless people are outsiders when to me they seem like natural allies.
Also, keeping the protest safe (which I agree is important!) is not the same thing as keeping out outsiders. I've heard complaints that any time a man within the protest harasses women it's brushed off as "some outside trouble maker".
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There is absolutely no acknowledgement that some of these "freeloaders" and "professional homeless people" are themselves victims of the same financial injustices that the protest is all about. If someone is starving and living on the streets, can you really blame them for taking advantage of free food being offered to anyone who asks for it? You may or may not decide to give it to them, but I think they deserve compassion for needing to ask. Also the assumption is that long term homeless people are outsiders when to me they seem like natural allies.
Also, keeping the protest safe (which I agree is important!) is not the same thing as keeping out outsiders. I've heard complaints that any time a man within the protest harasses women it's brushed off as "some outside trouble maker".