Washington, DC | Monday, April 22, 2024 | 8:30am - 12:00pm ET 

Hosts: National Homelessness Law Center, National Coalition for the Homeless
 

Background

On April 22nd 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States will hear the case of Johnson v. Grants Pass. This sets the stage for the most significant Supreme Court case about homelessness in decades. At its core, this case will decide whether cities can arrest and fine people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options.

Join Funders Together to End Homelessness, National Homelessness Law Center, the National Coalition for the Homeless, and a growing list of partners from around the country in a Day of Action Rally at the courthouse on the day of the oral arguments. We need your help to show SCOTUS, Congress, and the media that homelessness is not a crime and that ticketing and arresting people makes homelessness worse. The only solution to homelessness is ensuring that everyone has a safe and dignified home to sleep in.

The rally will feature homeless activists, organizers, and advocates speaking on the impact of this case and what will happen if SCOTUS rules in favor of either Johnson or Grants Pass. 

We are excited to announce that Amanda Andere, Funders Together CEO, will speak during the rally and join other homelessness activists, organizers, and advocates in vocalizing what is truly needed to end homelessness and achieving housing justice in this country!

About the Case

Johnson v. Grants Pass is a class-action court case originally filed in 2018, when Grants Pass, Oregon began issuing tickets to people for sleeping on public property, even when there was no shelter available. A group of homeless individuals sued the city for criminalizing their state of homelessness, and the courts decided that it is cruel and unusual punishment to fine or arrest people for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to go.

Now, Grants Pass is trying to have that ruling overturned, giving them power to punish people for simply trying to survive. Grants Pass, like many cities in America, is thousands of housing units short of what is needed. That shortfall will not be solved by putting more people in jail or issuing more tickets. The solution to homelessness is safe, decent, and affordable housing for everybody.

Learn more about this historic case at johnsonvgrantspass.com.

Schedule

• 8:30 - 9 AM: Lie-in at the Supreme Court
• 9 - 10 AM: Breakfast with advocates from all across the country
• 10 AM - 12 PM: Main rally with speakers, including FTEH CEO Amanda Andere

Registration:

Please RSVP for this event by using the registration button below. Registration is through the National Homelessness Law Center. The event will take place at the Supreme Court of the United States (First Street NE between East Capitol Street and Maryland Avenue).