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Homeless Man Protests on City Hall StepsJohn Martin set up camp nearly a week ago and vows to remain there until he can discuss the city’s homeless plan with a municipality official.Related Content
If you have driven past city hall in downtown Anchorage in the past few days, you may have noticed John Martin. He is staging a protest against the city’s homeless plan, or as he says, its lack thereof.
But this isn’t his first public protest—Nearly two years ago, he was camping in front of Abbott Loop Community Church to raise awareness about the city's growing homeless problem. With a history of multiple criminal convictions, Martin is no stranger to run-ins with law enforcement. However, he said his past doesn’t keep him from protesting what he feels is wrong. John Martin has been camped out since June 23 and plans to stay on the stoop until he and others living on the street are heard. “The way to bring change is to bring awareness,” said Martin, who is staging his protest exactly eight floors below the office of Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan. Martin said when the homeless are kicked out of the illegal camp sites in the woods, they will then head into the city to dwell in laundry rooms, and under stairwells and building outcrops. “They need to be warm and they need to be dry if they are going to survive, so when we go in and take their tents and beddings, in effect, we are killing them,” he said. Martin insists that he has tried to talk to city officials, including the mayor, for the past two years but his plea has fallen on deaf ears. Sarah Erkmann, Mayor Sullivan’s spokeswoman, said that, “Mayor Sullivan says he has not had any contact with him [John Martin] to discuss his concerns.” Martin said he briefly caught up with the mayor between the front door and his office but the mayor wasn’t interested in speaking with him. What’s Martin’s temporary solution? “Just don't tear down the tents until you have a plan in place, and now it’s two years later—still no plan in place.” But city officials said there is a plan already in effect that offers outreach to campers to get them coordinated with housing, employment and medical care. However, Martin said that isn't enough for those with serious alcohol problems. If homeless people go to the rescue mission, Martin said they must first submit to a Breath Alcohol Concentration test, BrAC, before they go in, “which means they can't eat, they can't sleep in there, they can't even get a blanket when it’s cold.” Just how long does John Martin plan to stay on the city hall steps? As long as it takes to make a difference, he said. Anchorage police said that as long as Martin is legally protesting and abides by the law that he is allowed to stay on the steps of city hall. However, if he were to set up a tent, Martin could be removed for illegal camping. |
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Sad but Hopeful said on Tuesday, Jan 3 at 6:36 PM
My heart goes out to John's family and daughters, especially Kara, for her brave, heartfelt posting of 9/11. Many people want to help John and are trying to but it's a complicated situation. There are many who care about John and Shilo and want only the best for them. Kara Martin said on Sunday, Sep 11 at 2:35 PM Wow, it's sad when you know that your dad traded his life with his family for this. I haven't seen him in close to 6 years, but i guess this is what he wanted. Tue Jan 3 17:31:21 UTC-0900 2012
79334754Sad But Hopeful said on Tuesday, Jan 3 at 6:30 PM
My heart goes out to John's family & daughers, especially Kara, for her brave, heartfelt posting on 9/11/11. Many people want to help John and are trying to but it's a complicated situation. There are many who care about John and Shilo and want only the best for them. Kara Martin said on Sunday, Sep 11 at 2:35 PM Wow, it's sad when you know that your dad traded his life with his family for this. I haven't seen him in close to 6 years, but i guess this is what he wanted.
79334566Kara Martin said on Sunday, Sep 11 at 3:35 PM
Wow, it's sad when you know that your dad traded his life with his family for this. I haven't seen him in close to 6 years, but i guess this is what he wanted.
73675702peter said on Thursday, Jul 7 at 10:22 AM
Some of us are one paycheck away from being homeless. It's not so easy even for college educated to land a job. What a homeless person really needs is job training and then he or she might get a job. The alcoholic needs treatment first. It's true an individual will have to decide to start living a sober lifestyle, then make good choices, but you can't automatically expect an full-blown alcoholic to make good choices, he needs help more than anything. It's too easy to judge and condemn when you're sitting on top of the world, try lowering yourself down to the homeless level first.
70303982sam said on Wednesday, Jul 6 at 10:33 PM
In my job I have dealt with many Anchorage homeless. 95% of them are dangerously intoxicated all the time. And I do believe that many rescue resources wont allow them in if they are drunk. I say good JOB! The rescue shelters are designed to help people in need, not baby sit people who make poor choices and live drunk. For most of the homeless drunks its a game. There are plenty of opportunities to get a job in Anchorage, the problem is most aren't willing to sober up for them. I say we buy all of them a one way ticket to LA if they wont get clean. Alaska is too dangerous to be homeless. The climate is just too extreme. We don't need more homeless deaths in the winter!
70275392Greg said on Monday, Jul 4 at 1:06 PM
Go John.... why does everyone has to conform to Sullivan's idea of life????? Sullivan like Parnell are a reflection of society and mostly the affluent society. There has alays been and always will be non conformists; for what ever reason. Everybody needs shelter, water and food so why a child, but not an alcoholic? I think there is a problem with our "growth" oriented economics and if I was born on this earth, why do I have to pay someone for the right to eat, shelter or water. I have been close to this situation and 1) the system is not enough to stop your fall into the abyss 2)the system is self serving to the money changers, 3)only the care of family, friends, or even strangers will get you thru it. Homeless staked out an area, maybe the city could have assisted them to a better spot, maybe the city could have assisted with poop control, but what I have read of comments in this state, the homeless are not as scary as many of you.
70141187compuuuter said on Sunday, Jul 3 at 6:50 PM
i just flipped thru the M's on the ak sor/ck database...John William Martin III. Thank you "WatchYourKids" for the lifesaving info.
70114423Matthew said on Saturday, Jul 2 at 9:08 PM
What does he do if he has to pee or poo at 3am in the morning? 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our home? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?' "Then the king will answer, 'I tell you the truth. Anything you did for any of my people here, you also did for me.'" (ERV) Full Text
70082666akbandit said on Friday, Jul 1 at 11:36 PM
Convicted sex offender? Can you provide proof? He's not in the database.
70044697WatchYourKids said on Friday, Jul 1 at 11:03 AM
Just for everyone's edification, this guy is a convicted sex offender. Sure, he's a nice guy... when he's not raping children.
70016767Denver C. Price said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 6:36 PM
There is no question that this is a difficult situation. The development of a rational plan for the homeless should be a priority for Anchorage. I would think that talking to and even including people that are homeless is a reasonable approach to this problem. If I were involved in this issue I might consider offering this gentleman a job developing an effective plan for the homeless in anchorage.
69976517akbandit said on Thursday, Jun 30 at 2:36 PM
The irony is that many homeless people don't want help that would involve a change in lifestyle. They want to remain homeless. Whether their thinking is clouded by psychiatric issues or substance abuse, they are often unable to handle the responsibility of employment, renting an apartment, etc. I don't have a solution to deal with those people, other than mental health care as the first step. Otherwise you simply need to let them be homeless and feed them until they die someday. Sad, but that's the stark truth of it. For those who seriously want help, and are not homeless by choice, the city/state needs to look at creating a transitional program (and I'm not a big advocate of 'programs') to get them back into the system of employment and housing. This is especially important considering that we have many homeless people UNDER age 18. I work with a man who is homeless. He lives in a tent on someone's property with permission of that person. Not all homeless people are unemployed, etc.
69966747alaskan indian said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 11:48 PM
ive been there to but people do have hearts i lived on the streets for many years fihd ajob
69917457Caity C. said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 4:32 PM
Oh my goodness, i have seen this guy several times and he's actually really cool. He seems to be a pretty thankful man. I think what he's doing is great. Go JOHN!!!
69901712Me :) said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 3:12 PM
Get a JOB!! Sounds Humane to me!
69898047Eustace Kakolantern said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 2:35 PM
Why isn't John Martin out panhandling?
69896107Kurt N. said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 2:35 PM
Hey, capslock guy. He isn't asking for the city's money. He is simply asking for more humane options to kicking the homeless out of tents, and more attention on the issue.
69896082TAX PAYING CITIZEN said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 1:13 PM
BILL NEEDS BRAIN SURGERY AND JOHN MARTIN NEEDS TO GET A LIFE OTHER THAN BEGGING FOR MORE OF MY TAX DOLLARS. QUIT ASKING OTHERS TO PAY YOUR WAY IN LIFE. SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO HELP WILL HELP YOU. MAYBE BILL WILL TAKE YOU IN AND FEED YOU. AND IF HE RUNS LOW ON CASH AND IS UNABLE TO FEED AND HOUSE YOU, YOU CAN PROTEST ON HIS FRONT STEP.
69891359Bill said on Wednesday, Jun 29 at 12:15 PM
Way to go, John. They can't blow you off by calling you a substance abuser, drunk, or psychotic. Keep letting these yahoos that live off the government job-dole that THEY ARE THE ONES ON WELFARE!
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