Last Saturday members of several local activist groups convened in Clearwater to protest recent laws passed by the city targeting the homeless. The only problem was that no homeless individuals were present at the event.

The City Council has passed laws making it illegal to sit on the sidewalk and camp overnight and increased the penalty for soliciting to up to 60 days in jail.

Homeless advocates claim this is direct targeting of the homeless, saying that if a “regular”-looking person was to act in such a way there there wouldn't be any issue. They also say it gives police carte blanche to get homeless individuals off the street.