LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Catholic Action Center in Lexington brought out the grill and speakers for a day of fellowship with a purpose.


What You Need To Know

  • People around Kentucky are rallying in response to the Supreme Court hearing regarding homeless encampments

  • Dozens of advocates of Lexington's homeless community came together Monday at the Catholic Action Center

  • Kentucky's legislature overrode Gov. Andy Beshear's, D-Ky., veto for House Bill 5 in March

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. 

Pam James, supporter of the houseless advocacy group, holds a sign in protest during the "Ain't No Crime to be Homeless" rally. (Spectrum News 1/Sabriel Metcalf)

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.