And. Yeah. It is a crisp winter's day in Washington
the eyes of history you're ceaselessly across the street the
White House. Stand in the shadow of Lafayette. Revolutionary hero
of two worlds. Best friend our first presents. Lafayette square
part of presidents park is our most American public squares.
It is here where I had to the Dolly Madison
house we're on the park's northeast corner. The former first
lady's famously posted much of Washington. And she is perhaps
most known for rescuing the Stuart portrait of Washington. Exactly
200 years ago. Now on New Year's Day only had
a tradition. Of opening her home every one regardless of
social standing. As I turned back towards the heart of
the park claim thinking about this history polity openness. When
I see a constant park site. It is a homeless
man who lives in Lafayette. For years he's always here.
Come morning their midnight assure as the sixth park's statue.
Hi Charlie saying. He tells me he's about out of
food and money and support. I don't on this day
the start of the winter solstice. Hundreds of homes people
lined up your life. Last winter in Washington to CB
these homeless crisis according to advocacy groups. Today facing a
new winter and Charlie looks clean behind and says. If
I don't get help before February. And Icahn. Lafayette these
seven acres of historical war is our most American public
squares. It is bordered by buildings where we make war
and peace. Managed currency an opportunity. Where art and history
console RC. On the one hand on this land of
common greeting card and erase a sense of Greek and
historic mortality. In the park's northwest corner in the long
shadow of the revolutionary leader Barron dumb stupid statue. Is
the home in which one of our first post revolutionary
needle heroes Stephen Decatur died after a tool. And just
steps from the statue of Lafayette. Congressman shot dead in
the street the son of the star spangled banner lyricist
Francis Scott Key. Over affair with a politician's wife. Six
years later in the park seems. Secretary of state Seward
who stand in his home. Who survived the attack and
one of the Lincoln plot conspirators. Whose name. On the
other hand against this historic Specter of death freed American
dreams create small. The park once housed an orchard and
where the relief route to freedom. Win in 1810. Alessio
Browning on her way out of slavery by selling produce
on this very soil. Two decades later to keep your
house sleep Charlotte to leave suits secretary staked claim. Payments
freedom. It's a bitter fifteen year battle involving separation and
imprisonment. Before her immense it can Finley is reunite. Unshackled.
And. Then at the civil wars and the Friedman savings
bank for emancipated slaves was founded the square southeast corner.
And a century later change finding team to saint John's
church on the park's north side. Every president since Madison
and sat in pews. But not a single member was
African American by the time Kennedy was in office. Yet
when the march on Washington arrive so too did the
church's expressed embrace of all races. As I sat in
Lafayette throughout this year. Morning or midnight season upon season.
One realization became most clear. This historic soil is not
simply staging area for nations symptoms. It is also the
most American for a for the pure pursuit of social
change. Lead they are squarely before the White House windows
this parks and wanton as a holding pen for hope.
We are immigration activist demonstrate in the White House's northern
quarter cents. Where hundreds of marchers read passing John's episcopal
as the salute the lions of Mohammed's grandson. We're citizens
flocked to raise their hands to protest a Ferguson grand
jury decision. And where the White House keeps vigil displays
it seems signs even on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor
attack. A vigil has been manned nearly 24/7. Since it
went up in 1981. The same here. Bentley homeless advocate
Mitch Snider. And the CC NV erected a tent city
in the square to support their cause and protest White
House cuts. So now that another winter is here. What
are we doing the city's homeless. Three decades later. Some
homeless folks sleep outside seemed generous. Even as many areas
sources of church support seeing their stretched thin. Some homeless
people here tell me that the streets commute less threatening
than the shelter. And less violent. And though the number
of homeless veterans is on the decline. Jenny Jones posted
it for what you can she says has no home
on veterans day. Just hours before the celebrity's home to
more. From Kitchener. Now we know this to be true.
There are few easy answers. And people who have worked
professionally including some of my loved ones to better the
lives of the homeless. Are true community heroes. But what
does that say about us as a nation and the
government. That even the president's park cannot fully help the
homeless. Testament to some shivering civil liberty freedom to three
days on America's front stoop. So my immodest proposal for
DC leaders is this. Start with New Year's Day. With
this. Me and incoming mayor signal platform for progress. And
meet demand in the presidential ball cap. Equity in green
TARP this one man Beckett play on a bench seat
waiting for Obama. Me he received some help. Ford has
more from future February arrives. Because once January 1 could
bring you pain and those living in my plan and
its nearby streets. Otherwise we are left with one question.
Within the presidents park in our most American public squares.
Does America's front porch no longer come equipped with open
two hours. And we must say it appears ceaselessly crossed
the avenue at the White House. Is anyone's looking back.
All are all. And but.