White Slough Eviction Day

Even though we decided to cancel the rally, some of us ventured out to the White Slough area earlier today to see what had resulted from Eviction Day.

Upon arrival to Carls Jr., we scanned the scene. We noticed a news crew from NBC already combing the area and doing some filming. Some workers, more than likely sent by the owner, were at the main entrance inbetween Carls Jr. and Smart & Final putting up chain-link fencing to close the opening. We greeted the workers and kindly skirted past them into the muddy, weedy terrain of the White Slough.

It was a ghost town. Marching through the mud, we could readily see evidence of life: tents, tarps, wooden enclosures, personal belongings, trash, stuff - a whole lot of stuff, really - but no people. Nearly all of the residents had vanished. From what we know, thankfully, the police did not arrest anyone. Where the residents went, we not know exactly. Maybe the residents will return at some point, but we don't know that for sure either. What we do know is that this isn't right. Apart from the "stuff" left behind, the White Slough is - for the time being - an uninhabited space.

Our advocacy efforts MUST and WILL continue.

Most, if not all, of the residents of the White Slough are now former residents. And life will go on for them. After White Slough Eviction Day, life will go on for the rest of us as well. But while we sit in our climate-controlled vehicles and insulated homes, the problem of homelessness is still very real to the now former residents of the White Slough, and for all of our homeless residents in Vallejo. But now, many of them have been forced to attempt making "home" elsewhere.

Please don't think for a second that this issue is over. Arguably, the issue has now been worsened by their displacement devoid of alternatives. This is definitely NOT the fault of our police or our city officials or our basic needs service providers. WE did it. ALL of us. Citizens of Vallejo, we have a decision to make. Because of the White Slough eviction, homelessness is now in the public eye. The conversation has already started. That's great. It's a start. A humble beginning. But the question still remains.

How will we respond?

Today and everyday after that, we have a choice to make. Either we ignore our own, fellow human beings, or we work together as citizens of our city so no one has to ever resort to calling the White Slough, or any other inhumane dwelling, home.

Our hearts go out to our fellow Vallejoans who don't have a warm place to sleep tonight. We will continue to humbly and compassionately work towards making our city a better and more just place to live for and with you, which in turn, does so for all of Vallejo.

Won't you please consider joining our cause. Email ServeOurVallejoHomeless@gmail.com.

Peace and Godspeed!