Downtown Hilo Post office/Federal Bldg. Public rest rooms locked during holiday rush

Press Release:  Dec. 10, 2018

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action 966-7622 email ja@malu-aina.org

Re: Downtown Hilo Post office/federal Bldg. Public rest rooms locked during holiday rush

” On Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 a security guard “Scotty”at the downtown Hilo Post office/Federal Building informed me that the rest rooms in the building would be locked till further notice because homeless people are making a mess in them,” said Jim Albertini.  Albertini said “that is no excuse to lock the public rest rooms, especially during the holiday season when lines and wait times at the post office are very long.”  Albertini said “the homeless and everyone else deserve basic sanitation facilities.  If the rest rooms need to be cleaned more than once a day (like airport rest rooms) then clean them.  Don’t lock them.”  Albertini said he contacted the Congressional offices of Senators Mazie Hirono, Brian Schatz and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for assistance.  Albertini said his organization has been conducting Friday Peace Vigils outside the Hilo Post office 3:30-5PM since the day after 9-11.  This Friday, Dec. 14 will make week 899.  Albertini said he brings two other senior citizens in his vehicle with him and several other people join in Hilo.  “Two of our vigil participants are 85 years old.  They deserve access to rest room facilities just like everyone else.  What is happening to a sense of human decency in the U.S. that even public rest rooms are now being locked?”  Albertini said the security guard informed him the decision was made by Federal Protective Services.

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Jim Albertini
Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action
P.O. Box 489
Kurtistown, Hawaii 96760
Phone 808-966-7622
email ja@malu-aina.org
visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org
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