In a small victory for the homeless men and women suing the city of Denver for taking their possessions in a series of sweeps, they'll be able to enter the federal courthouse where their case will be decided.
Normal court procedures require everyone entering the building to pass through security and provide photo identification. Not providing ID "shall be grounds for removal or exclusion from the building."
U.S. District Judge Craig Shaffer ruled this week that both the plaintiffs named in the lawsuit and others who might end up being included in the case -- attorney Jason Flores-Williams is seeking class-action status -- will be able to pass through security without ID as long as an attorney vouches for them.
The plaintiffs are suing over the way the city handled their belongings. They allege Denver violated their Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure, their Eighth Amendment rights against cruel and unusual punishment and their Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process and equal protection under the law.
In an email, Flores-Williams said some of the plaintiffs don't have ID because theirs was stored in the belongings that the city took in the sweeps.
The first hearing in the case is Wednesday.
