Thread by @LoriSaldanaSD

I’m posting these bench pics as examples of NON- #hostiledesign.

Most benches in #sandiego have raised areas to prevent people from using them to sleep- or are removed altogether from public spaces.

Displacing people is so common it’s become normalized

I joined a person eating a sandwich on one of the non-hostile benches, before he returned to work at a nearby gas station
He told me the current #MegaMillions lotto is close to a billion$ (attracting as many visitors to his workplace as the need for fossil fuels apparently)
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Our brief chat reminded me why we need MORE benches- not fewer
And yet: under #MayorToddGloria- ALL benches in City Hall Plaza were removed in 2022
Why? For the #TopGunMovie premiere at Civic Theatre, despite Golden Hall shelter residents needing places to sit outside
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So consider a pattern of the #MayorToddGloria administration:
Instead of providing trash cans, they removed benches used by shelter residents for the most human of activities:
Sitting, resting, eating, talking, and socializing with other human beings.
It's inhumane & hostile
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Throughout history cities have created, managed & maintained parks & restrooms for ALL people
In contrast: #SanDiego actively resists providing these necessities:
- Public restrooms
- Seating in parks & open spaces
- Adequate staffing to maintain these spaces & facilities
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When asked directly about these challenges at #Politifest #MayorToddGloria blamed people's behavior for the city's inability to funding basic services

Translation: People behaving badly -not development staff's bias- is keeping the rest of us from having nice things
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