JW, who is in transit, he says, from sickness to health, and Nevada to Oregon, has been spending the past few days around the Believe Plaza, grateful for the ongoing protest.
”I think they're doing a wonderful thing,” he said. “I think we're making history here. I feel the sweeps are ridiculous.” He says the advocates have been a caring community, making him feel more connected to society at large.
Lots of people stay near City Hall with blankets during the day but without tents, so it’s not considered camping or an encampment. He says the houseless look after each other all the time and now it’s nice to see advocates taking such a direct approach to help and protest. “We take care of each other. You know, you got to give him water, got to get them rehydrated, get him awake, make sure they're healthy. I'm not a field medic, but I feel like I am,” he said of helping others.
He says he was evicted recently after having health problems, including an epileptic seizure in Yerington. He has sores on his arms and legs, gout, and difficulty walking. He used to be a manager at a Family Dollar store, and worked in casinos. He’s hoping to go back to his native Oregon soon and get back to driving a cab in Medford, which he thinks he can still do, like he used to.
He says when he takes fares, if they are a veteran, or someone visibly in need, he’ll pick them up and he won’t charge them. He has no intention of trying the new Cares Campus, saying the place doesn’t look inviting at all.
”Don't judge a book by its cover,” he says by way of ending the interview. “People are people wherever you go. People judge me because I look like a transit. Well, I am a transit. But I'm not a slob. I clean my area. That's how I was raised. When we'd go camping in the woods, you know, you make sure the fires out, you pick up your garbage and make it look nice for Mother Nature. You don't leave your crap behind. “