Where Dry Leaves Blow Soundlessly

by ALDO ARTURO DELLA MAGGIORA/PoorNewsNetwork

While returning my taxicab to the garage, I use to drive under the freeway underpass on Cesar Chavez Street where several folks reside outdoors.

I used to see several people gathered together around a fire trying to keep warm

Underneath the army street freeway exit, cars passed by where dry leaves blow soundlessly through the streets of San Francisco and into the world of homelessness.

A group of educators named Erasure lead by Matt Behnke built arches out of shopping carts throughout the bay area in remembrance of the displacement of homeless folks and those who have died due to the neglect and apathy of our society to homeless folks. Artist, Matt Kertesz clarified that the current location underneath the freeway overpass was chosen for the Shopping cart installation, because there was an extensive community that was swept out.

Greg Leon a resident of the area said that many people who reside in the area are respectful of the land and keep it clean. "It is a convenient spot because one can collect money from the recycling center which is near by." Leon told me that Cal Train would come every morning starting at 7:30 am to remove the homeless and sometimes call the police. Furthermore, Leon explains, "This area became publicized in the news which attracted several heroin addicts to move into the area. This was convenient for some of the users because they had access to methadone from General Hospital, which is nearby. Littering became a problem, and women with children who passed by were harassed. As a result of the media drawing in some of the heroin addicts, Cal Train and other city officials arranged the fencing of a big portion of land under the freeway where the homeless would sleep," The sign said, "State Property No Trespassing Penal Code 602 (L), No Lodging Penal Code 647 (J), No Littering with Personal Property Penal Code 374.4, Violators Will Be Prosecuted." The actions of some of the drug addicts made the rest of the community look bad," said Leon.

Matt Behnke addresses the homeless issue as an American issue. "America does not want to see poverty in their country because they don’t want to take responsibility."

The arch of carts is a symbolic display of art representing one’s survival. Many people lost their carts and their belongings due to Cal Train’s policy of taking and crushing the carts, including the belongings of those individuals who used the carts. Cal Train's bully tactics have cost many hardships to the homeless who have lost their money, referrals for drug rehab programs, food, sleep gear, etc.

I participated with Erasure and helped put up an arch of carts. There was a feeling of relief to pay tribute to the unseen population of the homeless. Unfortunately the arch of carts was thrown down 20 minutes later after Erasure left the site. I hope one day to see the fence under Ceaser Chavez freeway exit come down so the communities of people without housing can at least gather around a fire and have a place to keep warm and sleep