Supreme Court Rules Cities Can Ban Homeless People From Sleeping Outdoors
2 days ago
The Supreme Court cleared the way for cities to enforce bans on homeless people sleeping outside in public places on Friday, overturning a ruling from a California-based appeals court that found such laws amount to cruel and unusual punishment when shelter space is lacking.
In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the high court found that outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment.
Western cities had argued that the lower court ruling made it harder to manage outdoor encampments in public spaces, but homeless advocates said punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness.
In California, which is home to one-third of the country’s homeless population, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom said the decision gives state and local officials the authority to clear “unsafe encampments” from the streets.
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President Joe Biden is working to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with ex-President Donald Trump. He's not the debater he used to be, Biden conceded at a rally Friday in North Carolina. But he added: “The choice in this election is simple: Donald Trump will destroy our democracy. I will defend it.” Democratic lawmakers are expressing plenty of concern but sticking by him for now.
In a 6-3 decision along ideological lines, the high court found that outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment.
Western cities had argued that the lower court ruling made it harder to manage outdoor encampments in public spaces, but homeless advocates said punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness.
In California, which is home to one-third of the country’s homeless population, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom said the decision gives state and local officials the authority to clear “unsafe encampments” from the streets.
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President Joe Biden is working to quell Democratic anxieties over his unsteady showing in his debate with ex-President Donald Trump. He's not the debater he used to be, Biden conceded at a rally Friday in North Carolina. But he added: “The choice in this election is simple: Donald Trump will destroy our democracy. I will defend it.” Democratic lawmakers are expressing plenty of concern but sticking by him for now.
