AntiWar Copwatch in Santa Cruz

In solidarity with antiwar protests in San Francisco against the Obama Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq (coming up: Iran and Pakistan!), we'll be continuing to take accounts of police behavior and videoing cops on the beat as they drive poor people away and give out tickets people can't pay.

Homeless vets are a significant proportion of the community without shelter outside. We demand an end to the obscene and murderous war abroad. This is both a budget and civil liberties issue locally. Police must be discouraged from being a part of the local War on the Police, and the merchant community that supports these outrages confronted.

The new anti-homeless Downtown Ordinance public assembly constrictions went into effect last week. They criminalize more than one hour's sitting on a city bench, make 3 unpaid infractions a jailing misdemeanor, and expand the notorious "No Go" zones downtown for sitting, sparechanging, political tabling, and street performing.

Anti-homeless ticketing for sleeping at night continues with shelter for less than 10% of the homeless community. We'll also be supporting calls for a Tent City when the Armory Winter Shelter closes in mid-April and encouraging organizing in that direction.

We have video cameras and tape recorders; bring your own as well.

Jumbogumbomeister Joe Schultz's tasty soup will NOT be available, but we hope to provide some cocoa.

If you want to volunteer for Public Records Act request work and other behind-the-scenes Copwatching, call 423-4833.