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Occupy Santa Cruz remains committed despite raid by County sheriffs, City Injunction
Santa Cruz, California – November 12, 2011 – Occupy Santa Cruz continues its peaceful public protest at the Courthouse for economic and social justice in spite of multiple official actions against the movement.
This morning at 5 AM around 15 sheriffs swarmed the Courthouse, blocking it off from the lower camp with police tape. They reinforced the County’s unofficial but repeated written notice that “lodging” was prohibited, and indicated any tents not removed by Occupiers would be confiscated and returned at some later date. A few tents were voluntarily moved, but a dozen tents and all personal property in them were taken by the sheriffs. Some individuals attempting to move out off County land were threatened with jaywalking tickets.
Although this action stopped at the Courthouse steps, sheriffs indicated that if the geodesic dome, food services, medical station and personal tents were still there Monday, they would be forcibly removed as well.
The night before, 15 lodging tickets were issued and two were arrested. One Occupier arrested last week for failure to produce ID said, “The cops were polite, but that doesn’t change the fact they’re taking my freedom away.”
The City is also pursuing an injunction against the encampment at Benchlands Park for being a “public nuisance.”
Occupy Santa Cruz continues to improve camp conditions. More toilets are being made available, and a new 24/7 camp security team is in place. A camp clean-up event is being planned for the weekend.
Several sheriffs indicated they personally were on the side of the Occupy Santa Cruz and national movements, and encouraged those present to ask the County offices to change the policies in place. One reportedly said, “We’re fully aware the Occupation isn’t going anywhere, and we want the movement to continue.” This sentiment has been echoed by County employees in the building and several local union representatives.
KION TV was on site later in the morning for interviews. Video of this incident by a private citizen as well as other Occupy Santa Cruz events is available at http://www.youtube.com/user/sapiscnn – free license has been given for other news sources to broadcast these videos.
More information and discussion will be broadcast on the radio at 101.3 FM Sunday 6-8 PM.
About OSC: We gather together as Occupy Santa Cruz in solidarity with the worldwide Occupy Movement. We are individuals committed to promoting justice. We have no leaders. We recognize the right of ALL voices to be heard: our diversity is a source of strength. We present a united front in our non-violent approach to addressing the problems we face and generating solutions beneficial to all. Please join us in creating a better world.
We gather 24/7 on the steps of the Superior Courthouse on Water Street. General Assemblies are held daily at 6pm, and on Sundays at 2pm in San Lorenzo Park.
###
Although this action stopped at the Courthouse steps, sheriffs indicated that if the geodesic dome, food services, medical station and personal tents were still there Monday, they would be forcibly removed as well.
The night before, 15 lodging tickets were issued and two were arrested. One Occupier arrested last week for failure to produce ID said, “The cops were polite, but that doesn’t change the fact they’re taking my freedom away.”
The City is also pursuing an injunction against the encampment at Benchlands Park for being a “public nuisance.”
Occupy Santa Cruz continues to improve camp conditions. More toilets are being made available, and a new 24/7 camp security team is in place. A camp clean-up event is being planned for the weekend.
Several sheriffs indicated they personally were on the side of the Occupy Santa Cruz and national movements, and encouraged those present to ask the County offices to change the policies in place. One reportedly said, “We’re fully aware the Occupation isn’t going anywhere, and we want the movement to continue.” This sentiment has been echoed by County employees in the building and several local union representatives.
KION TV was on site later in the morning for interviews. Video of this incident by a private citizen as well as other Occupy Santa Cruz events is available at http://www.youtube.com/user/sapiscnn – free license has been given for other news sources to broadcast these videos.
More information and discussion will be broadcast on the radio at 101.3 FM Sunday 6-8 PM.
About OSC: We gather together as Occupy Santa Cruz in solidarity with the worldwide Occupy Movement. We are individuals committed to promoting justice. We have no leaders. We recognize the right of ALL voices to be heard: our diversity is a source of strength. We present a united front in our non-violent approach to addressing the problems we face and generating solutions beneficial to all. Please join us in creating a better world.
We gather 24/7 on the steps of the Superior Courthouse on Water Street. General Assemblies are held daily at 6pm, and on Sundays at 2pm in San Lorenzo Park.
###
For more information:
http://occupysantacruz.org/
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I believe Becky Johnson's letter to the Mayor and City Manager sums up some important concerns about the city's latest pressuring tactic in this brutal masquerade. I encourage folks to prepare for the next assault on either the courthouse area or the park.
From: becky_johnson222 [at] hotmail.com
To: rcoonerty [at] ci.santa-cruz.ca.us; citycouncil [at] cityofsantacruz.com; jbarisone [at] abc-law.com; mbernal [at] cityofsantacruz.com
CC: jammbrow [at] gmail.com; ckelly [at] santacruzsentinel.com
Subject: re: timing of seeking injunction against Occupy Santa Cruz & open process
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:28:23 -0800
to: Mayor Ryan Coonerty and the Santa Cruz City Council
members: Madrigal, Lane, Beiers, Robinson, Terazzas, Bryant
November 13 2011
re: timing of seeking injunction against Occupy Santa Cruz/open process
Dear Mayor Coonerty and Members of the Santa Cruz City Council,
On October 6th, Occupy Santa Cruz set up a 24 hour occupation in San Lorenzo Park.
Three moves later it is currently located at the northern-most end of the benchlands
nearest to the Water St. Bridge. During the intervening time, several members of
Occupy Santa Cruz have approached at least two City Councilmembers seeking support for their
first-amendment activities by asking councilmembers to place a resolution of support on the City Council agenda for
discussion by the Council and the community.
Both Vice-Mayor Don Lane and Councilmember Tony Madrigal said they'd "consider it."
For two council sessions in a row, the only mention of Occupy Santa Cruz has been
during oral communications, the last period which was attended by four police officers.
No item appeared on the agendas of the closed litigation session, the consent agenda,
nor on the regular city council agenda. So when did council discuss and direct
City Attorney John Barisone to seek either a permit for and then an injunction
against Occupy Santa Cruz?
We understand that during the closed, litigation session on November 8th, a motion was made to add
an item as an " emergency" with a super-majority vote and time-sensitive matters due to expediency,
as is allowed by law.
So Is that when the council discussed seeking an injunction against Occupy Santa Cruz for "feces, illegal drug use,
and other illegal activities?"
Consider it completely relevant that City Manager Martine Bernal resolutely refuses
to open the bathrooms in San Lorenzo Park on a 24-hour basis as requested by OSC.
Please reply with any corrections or additions.
Sincerely,
Becky Johnson of HUFF
Santa Cruz, Ca.
(831) 428-1595
or call Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom at (831) 423-HUFF
From: becky_johnson222 [at] hotmail.com
To: rcoonerty [at] ci.santa-cruz.ca.us; citycouncil [at] cityofsantacruz.com; jbarisone [at] abc-law.com; mbernal [at] cityofsantacruz.com
CC: jammbrow [at] gmail.com; ckelly [at] santacruzsentinel.com
Subject: re: timing of seeking injunction against Occupy Santa Cruz & open process
Date: Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:28:23 -0800
to: Mayor Ryan Coonerty and the Santa Cruz City Council
members: Madrigal, Lane, Beiers, Robinson, Terazzas, Bryant
November 13 2011
re: timing of seeking injunction against Occupy Santa Cruz/open process
Dear Mayor Coonerty and Members of the Santa Cruz City Council,
On October 6th, Occupy Santa Cruz set up a 24 hour occupation in San Lorenzo Park.
Three moves later it is currently located at the northern-most end of the benchlands
nearest to the Water St. Bridge. During the intervening time, several members of
Occupy Santa Cruz have approached at least two City Councilmembers seeking support for their
first-amendment activities by asking councilmembers to place a resolution of support on the City Council agenda for
discussion by the Council and the community.
Both Vice-Mayor Don Lane and Councilmember Tony Madrigal said they'd "consider it."
For two council sessions in a row, the only mention of Occupy Santa Cruz has been
during oral communications, the last period which was attended by four police officers.
No item appeared on the agendas of the closed litigation session, the consent agenda,
nor on the regular city council agenda. So when did council discuss and direct
City Attorney John Barisone to seek either a permit for and then an injunction
against Occupy Santa Cruz?
We understand that during the closed, litigation session on November 8th, a motion was made to add
an item as an " emergency" with a super-majority vote and time-sensitive matters due to expediency,
as is allowed by law.
So Is that when the council discussed seeking an injunction against Occupy Santa Cruz for "feces, illegal drug use,
and other illegal activities?"
Consider it completely relevant that City Manager Martine Bernal resolutely refuses
to open the bathrooms in San Lorenzo Park on a 24-hour basis as requested by OSC.
Please reply with any corrections or additions.
Sincerely,
Becky Johnson of HUFF
Santa Cruz, Ca.
(831) 428-1595
or call Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom at (831) 423-HUFF
I think this letter raises some very valid questions. It's obvious that, given the source, the powers-that-be are going to print it on banner-size paper, make kites out of that and fly them into live electrical wires, just to watch them burn.
I would encourage OSC to entrust any missives of this sort to other folks who perhaps have a less contentious history with the entire City of Santa Cruz.
Good luck, OSCers!
I would encourage OSC to entrust any missives of this sort to other folks who perhaps have a less contentious history with the entire City of Santa Cruz.
Good luck, OSCers!
Twitter reports: Kevin Vogel (SCPD Chief of Police) is now following OccupySCBot on Twitter! Hey, Chief! #occupysantacruz
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