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'Sleep Out' Organized To Help The Homeless In Venice

VENICE (CBS) — It's rare to find people who want to sleep outside...even during summer in Los Angeles.

It can get cold, it's dangerous, it's anything but sanitary.

But don't tell that to a group of community activists in Venice who slept outside Saturday night...on purpose. The "Sleep Out To End Homelessness," was organized to shine a light on the problems of the homeless in Los Angeles and to get all people thinking of ways they can help.

The sleep out started 7:30 Saturday evening and is scheduled to end 7:30 Sunday morning. More than 20 community organizations signed on as sponsors.

The sleep out was held at 681 Venice Boulevard, on the lawn in front of Beyond Baroque and SPARC.

Religious leaders, folk singers, civil rights leaders and homeless advocates all took part.

They demanded dignity for their homeless brethren as well as demanding an end to the criminalization of transients and a chance to brainstorm on positive solutions for ending the homeless crisis.

Organizers said to "bring your sleeping bag or your cardboard condo."

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