But the truth is that no human being should be left to freeze to death. Even jails treat their inmates better and Mr. Pauli deserved a place to lay his head. I have been inculcated by prison cred rules when it comes to "baby rapers" and I share a sense of personal loathing when it comes to them as well, but at its core, they are still human beings worthy of at least the dignity of being able to find sanctuary on cold winter nights. No one deserves to freeze in sight of shelter.
No one.....Calls for reform in treatment of homeless echo at candlelight vigil in Grand Rapids for sex offender Thomas Pauli
by Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press Saturday March 21, 2009, 10:36 PM
God's creatures: David Olsen reads a prayer near the spot where Thomas Pauli died outdoors on South Division Avenue. 
Froze to death: Thomas PauliPauli was a convicted sex offender, and it was illegal for missions operating close to schools to allow him to stay overnight.
The march, from Degage Ministries, 144 S. Division Ave., to the spot on the 600 block where Pauli died, was intended to be both a memorial service and a quiet way to urge lawmakers to rethink how such homeless people are treated, said the Rev. Jay Schrimpf of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, one of the organizers.
"We want to speak to the injustice of a law that would allow one of God's creatures to freeze to death," he said. "It's appalling that such a thing could happen."
In her homily during the short prayer service, Ellison said Pauli committed an act that was "rightly condemned," but also is one of the few deemed "beyond redemption."
She said he reached a point where he would rather die than seek shelter at hospital, jail, or even one of the unlocked vehicles in the lot where he was found.
Ellison said Pauli's death should be a signal to the community that it needs to either change the law or create a safe, alternate site for homeless people with similar backgrounds to stay.
Carrying candles and signs reading "Law over life" and "Out in the cold no more," marchers represented about a dozen churches and ministries and included homeless people who considered Pauli a friend.
"The man did his time, yet he kept being punished for it,' said Kathy Houser, who knew Pauli.
She said the shelters need a better system of finding places for people who can't legally stay overnight near schools. She said some groups will drive people to such shelters, and said Pauli either didn't ask for help that night or staffers weren't aware of what could be done.
