On Monday, the Supreme Court will hear Johnson v. Grants Pass, the most significant case concerning the rights of homeless people in decades. Like many cities and towns across the country and within the Commonwealth, Grants Pass, Oregon’s lack of affordable housing and homeless shelters has driven many members of its homeless community to resort to sleeping on the streets. The Supreme Court’s decision in this case will dictate whether or not cities are allowed to arrest and fine people for things like sleeping outside with a pillow or blanket, even when there are no safe shelter options.

As Kentuckians prepare to grapple with the fallout from the passage of House Bill 5, part of which essentially criminalizes homelessness, Vocal KY, Black Lives Matter Louisville, Justice Center, the Coalition for the Homeless, and the Louisville Urgan League are hosting the Housing Not Handcuffs Rally on Monday, April 22nd at 3 PM.

Taking place at the park in front of the Mazzoli Federal Building (600 W. Chestnut, Louisville), the event will feature speakers directly impacted by homelessness as activists from Louisville and the surrounding areas gather to learn more about the Grants Pass case and how House Bill 5 will affect those experiencing homelessness in Kentucky.

To RSVP for the event, please visit https://louhomeless.org/housing-not-handcuffs/.

It’s also more important than ever for local legislators to know that Kentuckians demand more funding for affordable housing and rental assistance. Tell them now that safe, stable, affordable housing is a human right!