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Graphic by Marissa Kunz

"An Altercation..."

Homeless resident of UN Plaza shot by federal police officer

By Maurice J., Darrin Lewis and Tiny

It was late.... so late and so dark, even the streetlamps started to fade and flicker in that disturbing way they do at dusk and dawn. In this hour of darkness something happened to a homeless friend of mine at the United Nations Plaza in San Francisco..something that left him.in critical condition..something that involved my friend and several police officers...

a knife.." an altercation".... a shooting .

I didn't see my friend hurt. hardly anyone was around..... I did see the faint glow of police searchlights flicker in tandem with the flickering streetlamps. The birds, sparkling charcoal clouds and moist brick sidewalks whispered to me that something was wrong but I was hidden and it is o hard to find a good place to sleep when you are living outside that I denied what might have been going on around the corner.

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As a homeless not-resident of UN Plaza it is very clear to me, that between the Mayor's office, the sheriff's department and the federal police, WE ARE NOT WANTED HERE! Further, my opinions on this event and/or that of any homeless witnesses, will not hold any weight, suffice to say we know through personal experience, poor people are rarely believed, and their opinions are rarely legitimized My neighbors and friends are saying it was attempted murder by a federal police officer who wants us out of here - my neighbors and friends are very scared because they feel like its just a matter of time before they are the next "altercation" The FBI, the branch of government who are "Handling this investigation" have released the following statement:

At approximately 10:00 pm on Thursday, August 10th, an as yet unidentified federal police officer encountered an as yet unidentified individual in the small alleyway in UN Plaza, behind the fountain, that leads to McAllister street. As per federal regulations the investigation is now being handled by the FBI.The individual pulled a knife and proceeded to attack the officer. After sustaining several cuts the officer then pulled his weapon and shot the man in self-defense. The suspect is still in General Hospital while the officer was treated and released that night.

At this point the homeless residents of UN Plaza have no official statement, so far it is only that, "we are scared"

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THERAPY COSTS TOO MUCH!!!!
Dee Gray, M.S.W., M.F.C.   Licensed Therapist specializing in advocacy and crisis counseling. Mother, daughter and family counseling. Adoption and juvenile dependency. Literary and creative art counseling. Individual and group therapy. Sliding scale fee. (415) 541-5629.