We can do better, but Initiative 300 is the right move for now

This is regarding the Right to Survive Initiative 300. I’m encouraging people to vote yes.

I have a specific interest in this ban. My faith community, AfterHours Denver, along with numerous other churches and local businesses, hand out lunches in Civic Center park every day at noon, 365 days a year. I have been doing this for over a decade. I can tell you without question: No one in our line appreciates the inhumanity of the camping ban. Being homeless is hard enough. The current laws make it even harder.

You’ll hear arguments that include, “might,” “could” and “possibly.” “People could be camping right in front of your house and going to the bathroom on your lawn … you don’t want that do you!?” This tactic is as old as politics itself: Create fear, fan the flames, get your vote. Fear mongering, pure and simple.

We’re better than that.

Much has been invested in marketing and ads opposing 300. They say, “We can do better” and “Letting people sleep outside is inhumane.” Of course, we can do better! That is not saying we shouldn’t “do good” now. The current bans in place are what are inhumane. Let’s — as a society — at the very least, try to eliminate the inhumane. Can we at least do that? Let’s lead with compassion.

Let’s help people live, survive and get by for one more day.

Once we do that, we can work on getting them off the street.

Jerry Herships, Denver Editor’s note: Herships is a reverend and founder of AfterHours Denver