Mayor Bates Calls Stint On Streets 'Overwhelming'

Alabama, one of more than 1,000 homeless people in the city of Berkeley, sat patiently on Telegraph Avenue with his baby and a sign that read "Money for Pot."

"It's just a gimmick that gets everyone's attention," Alabama said. "Every cent goes to my child first, then my wife and me."

Tuesday afternoon Mayor Tom Bates met with Alabama and other members of the homeless community. By Wednesday afternoon, it was unclear what Bates had learned from the experience.

"I think it's an overwhelming, undefined perspective," Bates said. "It's a whole different way of seeing life. This is an excellent experience."

Carrying a garbage bag, Bates began to pick up trash from the street. Homeless rights activist Nijad Johnson handed Bates an apple on the street, calling it a "ground score."

"Hey look everybody, I found an apple," Bates said with a smile to the cameras.

Later, three pennies were added to the collection of goodies. "There's money everywhere in Berkeley," Bates said.

A homeless man handed the mayor a cup of black coffee at the Suitcase Clinic, an organization that provides services to the homeless. Before drinking, Bates asked, "Is this good?"

"It's cold," a homeless man said, encouraging Bates to drink it. "They plug the machine in, but that's as hot as it gets."

Bates took a sip of the coffee before splashing some of it onto the street.

"Beggars can't be choosers," he said with a laugh.

The mayor then hopped into a van, which took him to Harrison House, a coed homeless shelter. This was the first of many shelters Bates visited on his excursion.

While in the shelter's kitchen, the mayor asked Site Manager Phyllis Sheridan about the shelter's specialty dishes.

"There's so many different people and we try to please everybody," Sheridan said. "But we can't please everyone all the time."

"That's like being a politician," Bates responded.

Two hours later, the mayor was dropped off on Shattuck Avenue. He went into Pasand Lounge to find out the score in the basketball playoffs.

Staring at coffee shops on Shattuck, the mayor later asked if it would be OK to grab some coffee.

"It's hard to draw the line," said Cisco DeVries, Bates' chief of staff.

Homeless people greeted Bates with cheers and a rendition of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow" upon his arrival at the campsite-Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. Bates was the first to fall asleep.

Before sunrise, Bates woke up for media interviews. Homeless rights advocates were pleased to see cameras focused on their issues.

"We wanted the media because the issue needs to be covered in the press all the time," said boona cheema, executive director of Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency.

Around 5:30 a.m. a groggy Bates went to Tully's Coffee.

As Bates headed to his final press conference late Wednesday afternoon, Alabama was back on Telegraph Avenue. He was trying to get $40 to sleep in a motel for the night. He said Bates had been unable to help him.

"That's a mighty fine mayor," Alabama said sarcastically, holding back tears. "Last night we slept outside, tonight, I don't know."

Back at the press conference, a reporter informed Bates of Alabama's dilemma.

Bates' van stopped on the side of Telegraph Avenue. Bates said he was going to give Alabama and his family a motel voucher.

"That's the power of the press," Bates said.

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