Support our Unhoused Neighbors
In response to this article from the Gazette Times, which states that the city of Corvallis will begin resuming evictions of unhoused people, despite the fact that we are still in an ongoing pandemic, a group of community members has formed to help our unhoused neighbors with upcoming sweeps. Evictions have been posted along the Mary's River for the 26th of May. Many of the residents living in this area are unsure of where to go and will need help moving and material support in the form of tents, sleeping bags, tarps, batteries, and other needs that may arise from people loosing their belongings to the state. Sweeps are a form of state violence which leaves our unhoused neighbors without permanent living situations, impedes their ability to form long lasting tight-knit communities, exposes them to police violence, and the loss of their belongings when they are unable to meet the demands of the city.
If you would like to get in contact with the organizers of this gofund.me with questions, resources, or support feel free to reach out to us at stopthesweepscorvallis @protonmail. com (no spaces)
If our gofund.me collects more money than is needed for the needs of our neighbors then we will be distributing the money directly to those effected by the sweeps or if needs are adequately met will be used to help others in future sweeps. This is based on the guiding principles of self-determination and mutual aid (inspired by and adapted from Survived & Punished’s mutual aid values ).
Self-Determination: We center our unhoused neighbors, community members, and friends. We recognize that people know best how to spend and use resources based on their particular needs and circumstances — thus, what we gather and give has no strings attached. We believe strongly in self determination and see giving as not just an act of solidarity, but as an entryway to working together. We believe in giving that is voluntary and reciprocal in the service of supporting all of us in striving and thriving as best we can.
Mutual Aid: Mutual aid is premised on the idea that people are experts of their own lives and that the intended recipients of material support are the best judges of how, when, and in what form that support should be distributed. The money and labor we put into supporting our unhoused neighbors is not charity towards individuals, but a concrete expression of our solidarity with and responsibility for each other.
