LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Catholic Action Center in Lexington brought out the grill and speakers for a day of fellowship with a purpose.
Leaders gathered to shine a light on the Supreme Court hearing underway on homeless encampments. A decision could allow states to penalize people for sleeping outdoors when shelters are full.
The justices will decide whether ticketing homeless people is a “cruel and unusual” punishment that violates the Eighth Amendment.
Signs were hung outside the Catholic Action Center with information about homelessness in the country. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, one million children attending public schools in the U.S. are homeless.
Clara Samuels said she wants legislators to know the reality of low-income families whose circumstances could lead to being homeless.
“(A lot of people) don't understand, and everybody has a story,” Samuels said.
Homeless advocacy groups are also sharing concerns about House Bill 5, dubbed the "Safer Kentucky Act." It goes into effect this summer, and opponents fear it would criminalize homelessness across the state.