DHS no puedes ver (DHS can't you See? - What fingerprinting will do to me...)

by Ace Tafoya/PoorNewsNetwork Community Journalist

Andre Rucker waits patiently for the rally at the Human Services Commission organized by members and staff of POWER, (People Organized to Win Employment Rights) POOR Magazine and Coalition on Homelessness on Thursday, December 12 to demand from Trent Rhorer, the head of San Francisco Department of Human Services, affordable housing, living wage jobs and protest the installation of a fingerprinting scanner in shelters. "The issue of fingerprinting, it violates the 4th amendment and what it says is that it creates an aristocracy," Andre said to me as more people gathered outside the offices of POWER. The implementations of the board are to have a Fingerprint Image Machine for everyone residing in shelters by June 1st. "People who are poor are of color are losing their rights as citizens of the United States," he stresses to me while waiting for the #14 Mission bus to take him and about 25 other folks to the rally.

Jason Negron-Gonzales, one of POWER’s organizers is all pumped up and ready to face Trent Rhorer. They want to add pressure about the implementations of Proposition N, "We’re keeping the fight going on (over Prop. N). The Department’s are taking a disgraceful approach of trying to implement Prop N. through forcing the people into shelters," he said to me as the bus approached. "It’s great to be out here fighting for justice in the morning!"

POWER and other organizations want to face Trent Rhorer and other politicians about the truth over Proposition N. They want to meet with Trent Rhorer in January 2003 to discuss in length the effects of this proposition. This initiative was passed by voters in San Francisco in early November 2002. It cuts GA payments of $390 to about $59 a month.

Larry Lattimore, from POWER led the outburst on Mr. Rhorer during his update to the board of what was to be discussed and put into plan. "Trent Rhorer we heard enough and we’re tired of your lies! We just found out that you’re going to buy some fingerprinting equipment and force us into shelters and we know that’s not right!" Larry Lattimore shouted. As Trent Rhoehr stumbled and fumbled and looked embarrassed, shifting papers, he couldn’t look in our direction. Mr. Lattimore continued with his tirade, "We’re not criminals and we don’t need poor shelter beds and fingerprinting!"

In a display of courage and faith, the members of POWER chanted:
"DHS can’t you see
What fingerprinting will do to me
You say you wanted to give us care
But we all know the CARE’S NOT THERE.

…and in Spanish:
DHS no puedes ver
Que sus mentiras me van hacer
Nuestras huellas quieres tomar
De esta ciudad no nos van a hechari.

Both Julie Browne, POWER organizer and Andre Rucker wanted to confirm with Trent Rhoehr the importance of a meeting in the Tenderloin for January 2003 to discuss better ways of implementing Prop. N. Trent Rhoehr said this was not the proper time to set up a meeting. He couldn’t commit to a date at that point and wanted us to call his secretary. What is he afraid of?

Upon exiting from the Department we we’re still chanting loudly and proudly:
"Trent Rhoehr – Trent Rhoehr
We’ll be back
We won’t forget
Your last attack!"

Indeed, Mr. Rhoehr hasn’t heard the end of us yet. This is just our fightback and it’s time for him and other elected city officials to listen to what the poor people of this city want. It’s time for a change!