Water is a basic human right, but try telling that to San Jose’s city officials who’ve turned Columbus Park into a desert of desperation. 🚰

Homeless residents are fighting an invisible battle against bureaucratic indifference, where access to clean drinking water has become a luxury they can’t afford. City authorities have systematically shut down water fountains and spigots, leaving vulnerable community members scrambling for survival.

The Water Warfare

Courtney Hayes, a 26-year-old park resident, shared a harrowing tale of survival. “When they shut off water, it’s hard to give water to our animals. They don’t realize how hard it is out here,” she explained. The situation is so dire that residents are forced to walk miles, carry heavy water jugs, and risk drinking potentially contaminated irrigation water.

Bureaucratic Breakdown

The city’s excuses range from vandalism to infrastructure issues, but homeless advocate Scott Largent isn’t buying it. “Third-world countries supply people in war-torn areas with fresh drinking water, and yet, we can’t pull that off here at all,” he scathingly remarked. The irony is palpable: in one of the world’s tech capitals, basic human needs are being systematically denied.

A Systemic Failure

This isn’t just about water; it’s about human dignity. As San Jose continues its aggressive street sweeps and RV bans, vulnerable populations are pushed further to the margins. The water shutoff is just another tool of marginalization, a cruel reminder that in our supposedly progressive city, some lives are deemed less valuable than others.

Until San Jose recognizes that water is a fundamental right, not a privilege, these park residents will continue to fight for their basic survival. Stay hydrated, stay angry, and demand better from your city. 💧✊