For Immediate Release
Monday, April 1, 2024
Contact
Scott McLarty, (202) 878-2112, scott@memorialblanket.org
Pat LaMarche, Epicjourney10@gmail.com
Homeless #MemorialBlanket Project to display handmade blankets near the Supreme Court Building in preparation for April 22 hearing on criminalization of homelessness
• When: Monday, April 22, 2024, first day of the hearing
• Where: Near the Supreme Court Building, First Street, NE, Washington DC
• Homeless Memorial Blanket Project web site with details, updates, and information on donating blankets: https://memorialblanket.org
WASHINGTON, DC — The Homeless Memorial Blanket Project is collecting handmade blankets and quilts for display outside of the US Supreme Court Building when the court conducts a hearing on a case that considers whether municipal governments can criminalize homelessness.
Beginning on Monday, April 22, the Court will hear oral arguments in the Johnson v. Grants Pass case.
“We’ll be at the Supreme Court to defend the right of people experiencing homelessness not to be ticketed, harassed, arrested, or jailed or to lose all their belongings because of their lack of housing,” said Blanket Project organizer Pat LaMarche.
Those interested in contributing blankets, quilts, and other items to the display can contact Pat LaMarche at epicjourney10@gmail.com. Updates and details about participating will be posted at https://memorialblanket.org.
“We’re speaking out with handmade blankets to remind people that our neighbors might weather the elements, often with nothing but a blanket. By displaying handmade blankets and quilts contributed by people across the US and having them ready for the first day of the hearing in April. After that, we’ll distribute them to families and individuals without homes,” said Ms. LaMarche, who organized previous displays in 2022 and 2023.
On January 12, the Supreme Court announced that it would hear a challenge to the Johnson v. Grants Pass (2022) case, in which the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that “the City of Grants Pass [California] cannot, consistent with the Eighth Amendment, enforce its anti-camping ordinances against homeless persons for the mere act of sleeping outside with rudimentary protection from the elements, or for sleeping in their car at night, when there is no other place in the City for them to go.”
By displaying the blankets and quilts, Blanket Project organizers, supporters, and blanket-makers are urging the Supreme Court to uphold the lower court’s invalidation of city ordinances that punish homelessness.
“Pillows, cardboard or blankets should not serve as proof of criminality. But if the Supreme Court finds in favor of Grants Pass, these beautiful handmade gifts will be just that. We will display our blankets prominently to remind the court that a handmade blanket is a sign of love,” said Pat LaMarche.
On Dec. 21, 2022, the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project held a display of 1,179 handmade blankets and quilts from across the US on the West Lawn of the Capitol in Washington DC. On Dec. 21, 2023, the Blankets Project went local with a display on the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building in Harrisburg.
After both displays, the blankets and quilts were distributed to families and individuals in dire need during the winter.
Typical blankets dimensions are 45″ x 80″ and 60″ x 80″ with a variety of fabrics, fibers, and colors. All blankets are handmade. Blankets for children and infants may vary in size. Donations of baby blankets, diapers, wipes, formula, and other necessities for infants are also welcome.
The Homeless Memorial Blanket Project is hosted by the Charles Bruce Foundation (https://charlesbrucefoundation.com), which is located in central Pennsylvania. The Dec. 21 display will be an arts installation by this nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
MORE INFORMATION
Johnson v. Grants Pass: Web site with FAQ
https://johnsonvgrantspass.com
Johnson v. Grants Pass: Ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2023/07/05/20-35752.pdf
“Supreme Court to weigh whether cities can punish homeless people for sleeping on public land”
NBC News, Jan. 12, 2024
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna133440
Homeless Memorial Blanket Project on Facebook (national group)
To find a state Facebook group, type Homeless Remembrance Blanket and the state’s name in Search
https://www.facebook.com/groups/322512689587858
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MemorialBlanket
Video: “Yay Babies!” from HEAR US Inc. about infants in homeless situations
https://charlesbrucefoundation.com/?page_id=915
“Handmade blankets for homeless crafted with ‘love’ come to Capitol Hill”
The Washington Post, Dec. 22, 2022
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2022/12/22/homeless-remembrance-blanket-project-capitol/
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