Homeless Advocates To Push Sacramento Tent City Plan

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Homeless advocates are moving forward with plans to open a "tent city" in Sacramento.

Supporters say they will ask city leaders for a permit on Tuesday and will take legal action if they are denied.

Sacramento gained national attention in 2009 when several tent cities popped up around downtown, including one on a vacant property owned by civil rights attorney Mark Merin.

He's now leading the effort to bring them back.

"I can't understand why the city would not permit it," Merin said. "To use an anti-camping ordinance to stop a group of homeless people from being sheltered on a private lot as opposed to sleeping in the gutter or the alleys or doorways it doesn't make any sense."

Merin plans to open a tent city on vacant property he owns at 12th and C Streets.

Sacramento is unveiling its new homeless work plan at a special city council meeting today.

Merin wants the city to grant a permit for the tent cities. But if they don't, he plans to use freedom of religion laws to force the city into allowing the camps since they'll be sponsored by local churches.

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