Now before you start to protest or think it’s far too cold to stay outside from 9 pm to 9 am on a November night, think about where you’ve slept the other 364 days. In a warm bed, I’m sure. Okay, maybe some of you roughed it and went camping for a few days earlier this year. However, you chose to do this.

Most homeless people do not choose to be there. They don’t choose to run away from abusive parents. They don’t choose to be kicked out of psychiatric wards and hospitals shut down by the Tories and Liberals. They don’t choose to squeeze the last of their RRSPs to pay this month’s rent because they lost their job and can’t find another.

My point is there are so many factors that lead to the number of people we see on the streets.

Well, I’m not asking for your money. Just your time. I’m asking for you to sleep somewhere else for one night out of 364 on Saturday November 19, 2005. We’ve stayed out partying, raving, having sex, etc., so it’s not like we can’t do this…together.

I’m inviting you to come out for one night, to bring a sleeping bag, a toque, mittens, some snacks, an instrument if you want (or cards and friends) and some resilience. We’re providing hot coffee, a bite to eat, music and chance to do something about a problem we see everyday but feel powerless (or maybe apathetic) about changing. You might be too busy to do it – but even if you come for a few hours it’ll help.

We’re doing this to get (and hold) the mayor’s attention. We just want the mayor and city council to cement a plan with an actual timeline (because they have made empty promises and created "plans" that haven't come to fruition). The only way to get an actual (accountable) plan in place is to get a significant number of people to show some solidarity by sleeping out on Saturday November 19 at 9 pm at City Hall because I do believe there’s a grain of truth to the adage, Strength in numbers.

(For more information, please visit www.humanizetoronto.org.)