Tell Louisiana: Renounce cruelty. Reject HB 211

Stand with us to declare: NOT IN OUR NAME.

An anti-homeless bill called "one of the cruelest" in the country is advancing through the Louisiana state legislature.

On April 15, Louisiana House Bill 211 passed in a 70-28 vote and is now in the hands of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sponsored by state Rep. Debbie Villio (R), the so-called "Streets to Success" Act makes it a criminal offense to sleep outside and would subject many unhoused people to fines, imprisonment, or "treatment" that can cost, on average, over $4,400 per week.

This bill is a key priority of GOP Gov. Jeff Landry's legislative agenda.

He has long been hostile towards the unhoused, in 2025 deploying armed state agents to round up unhoused New Orleanians to force them into internment camps -- to clear the streets for tourists visiting for the Super Bowl.

But we see it for what it is -- an attempt to criminalize homelessness rather than actually solve it.

Louisiana, with Landry at the helm, is at the forefront of Christian Nationalism.

The state is a testing ground, where Christian Nationalist policies are designed, tested, challenged, refined -- then nationalized.

Under Landry, Louisiana is leading the Christian Nationalist movement in the nation, merging church and state, from ushering in the Ten Commandments to forcing chaplains into public schools.

This is what white Christian Nationalism looks like.

It's why Louisiana is the first stop of Faithful America's The Frontline Faithful Tour with our Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck.

Because Faithful America believes God calls Christians to feed the hungry, invite in strangers, and clothe the needy -- loving our neighbors, without exception.

Shannon chose to go first to the Bayou State, to listen, engage, and build bridges, because we refuse to give up on the loving communities resisting Christian Nationalism that call Louisiana home.

We resist, because we hope in God.

As Shannon said, "I've seen how people of faith can find a path forward where hope seems scarce, and how hearts and minds can change when you are willing to do the hard work of building relationships."

Louisiana's anti-homeless bill is not just cruel, it's anti-Christian and a betrayal of everything Christ taught us across his life of radical love and service.

Someone has to stand up. We believe that's all of us.

Petition Text:

To: Members of the Louisiana State Legislature

We urge you to find compassion to renounce cruelty and reject Louisiana House Bill 211.

Telling people who have nowhere to go that they cannot sleep outside is not compassion; it is cruelty.

Making people without homes pay thousands of dollars in fees for "treatments" does not solve homelessness -- only criminalizes it.

Louisiana HB211 is already known as "one of the cruelest" anti-homeless initiatives in the country, and it is up to the Senate to make sure such cruelty goes no further.

As a leader in public service, this is your chance to stand up for the weak, the poor, the sick, the powerless, and the homeless.

To take a stance against this wave of Christian Nationalism brewing in Louisiana. To ensure the separation of church and state. To check religious zealots in power.

America needs to hear from you now. That you put country above party, you put people over power.

Remember your oath of office. You pledged allegiance to this republic, and to its people. Not Donald Trump. Not Jeff Landry. Remember the people in your state. Remember the Constitution.

Thank you.