From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Drum Circle Hits the Road, Pursued by Police
The Wednesday Drum Circle spent three hours at their new Elm St. location--to which they were driven by Farmer's Market expansion and police harassment at Lincoln and Cedar. Reports from Robert "Blindbear" Facer Drum Circle Dave say 25-30 drummers moved to Scribner (Scope) Park next to the Town Clock. Police officers-including Officer Schonfield--then reportedly harassed and pursued the diminishing Drum Circle stalwarts on an "Indian walk" from spot to spot. The police cited anonymous complaints and ended up ticketing one or more drummers on the spurious charges though at no time did cops give the drummers the option to play more quietly as provided by MC 9.36.020.
DRUMMERS RETURN TO ELM ST.
After three hours at their new Elm St. location--to which they were driven by Farmer's Market expansion and police harassment at Lincoln and Cedar--the Drum Circle was pressured to move again. Accounts from Robert "Blindbear" Facer & Drum Circle Dave report 25-30 drummers moved to Scribner (Scope) Park next to the Town Clock. Police officers-including Officer Schonfield--then reportedly harassed and pursued the diminishing Drum Circler stalwarts on an "Indian walk" from spot to spot. The police cited anonymous complaints and ended up ticketing one or more drummers on the spurious charges though at no time did cops give the drummers the option to play more quietly as provided by MC 9.36.020.
I audioed and videoed the Wednesday Drum Circle at various points from 3 PM to 6 PM.
Though initially apprehensive about playing there because of police surveillance and direct harassment, drummers gradually began to re-assemble--encouraged by the example of Miguel ("Lito") de Leon who was one of the first to resume drumming in spite of pressure from Sgt. Harms, Officer Forbus, and Officer Winston.
Jacob and Sean of Antioch Church arrived with comfort coffee. Ronee of the Road (as I call her) followed shortly after with more coffee, doughnuts, and a chess table. Ronee provides regular sustenance as well as company and community to folks outside on Sundays on the sidewalk beside downtown Borders on Pacific Avenue during the mid-afternoon.
DRUG WAR OVERKILL
Cops were involved for half an hour or more in interrogating and ultimately taking away one man accused of meth possession or use. A second African American man was held and grilled by cops blocking the parking lot and ultimately cited for marijuana possession. Sgt. Harms attempted to frighten the black guy by describing me as someone who'd broadcast his name and face all over the radio, but according to the "suspect" hadn't told him what he was being detained for.
Harms's often stonewalls uestions from onlookers about what "crime" is happening, saying he must "protect the privacy" of the suspect. Then when I ask the suspect is asked directly, the suspect says he hasn't been told either. Unless there's a crowd present, Harms and other cops, will often say "we've already told you" Such responses seem a strategy to insulate the police department from any direct public understanding what they're actually doing with taxpayer money.
I loudly discussed the senseless cost of two squad cars and six cops blocking the parking lot for so long a period over so trivial a set of charges. It seemed to me to be either intentional or oblivious harassment of those playing there. At a time of budget crisis, it seemed an inappropriate use of police resources. But then 8 more cops have been budgeted for and some assigned to the downtown area to deal with “crimes” such as poor people public assembly and the like.
An indymedia journalist tried to take pictures of the event but was directed to "move away" because he was "blocking" the road, a job subsequently taken up by two squad cars.
Sgt. Harms and his subordinates Forbus and Winston would occasionally stride over to the circle and caution a drummer or watcher not to smoke—though there are no store entrances within half a block and no one present there was complaining. The Smoking Ban, as predicted by activist Becky Johnson, seems to have become a pretext for harassing the poor and a specific tool for interfering with group activity which the police want to eliminate.
AUDIO AND FLYERS
I audioed people without incident giving their perspective on events (which I'll be playing Sunday morning at 10 AM on Free Radio Santa Cruz at 101.1 FM http://www.freakradio.org ). One man insisted I was a police agent, but then he always says that when I walk by him. Various members of the crowd encouraged him to document his case or lower the volume.
I gave out a flier announcing the May 22nd 5 PM meeting of the Street Performers Guild and supporters at Louden Nelson Center, as well as a copy o the “Unreasonably Disturbing Noise” ordinance (MC 9.36.020) which police are using under cover of citizen complaint to shut down musicians (not just drummers) downtown.
LONG MARCH OF THE DRUM CIRCLE
When I returned to the Drum Circle around 6 PM, I found one man chatting with Sgt. Harms and everyone else gone. Drummers informed me later that Harms had said he'd “gotten complaints” and “suggested” they move to the park across from the Town Clock.
I subsequently received reports by phone and e-mail from Blindbear and DrumCircle Dave. They said they played for about half an hour at the park, apparently with “permission” from the next-door business Serpent's Kiss (permission to play is not required in public places, police behavior notwithstanding), but then were told by police to move. They went across the street to the Town Clock where after a shorter period of time, they were approached by Officer Schonfield and another cop and told to move again.
On each occasion they weren't told to “follow the law' by playing more softly, but to shut down or move. This is a pattern that repeatedly appears on Pacific Avenue when Schonfield or other officers approach musicians—using this illegal demand. It may be an actual departmental policy or simply misunderstanding on the part of the officers. In any case, it is a form of unconstitutional intimidation under color of law.
The group then moved to the Eagle Statue plaza next to Jamba Juice, and got the same treatment from Schonfield and partner. The same treatment was repeated in front of New Leaf and in back of the Del Mar Theater, with the group diminishing in size. At 9 PM police ticketed them—at somewhere near Walnut and Pacific. Reportedly Blindbear and Patrick got tickets, though it's not clear for what—presumably MC 9.36.020.
Drum Circle Dave says he's scoping out plans for next week's deadly Drum Circle and will keep us briefed.
For previous background on this subject, check out "Drum Circle Returning" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/12/18647713.php and "Drum Circle Defense: Confronting the Crackdown" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/04/18646999.php .
There's been regular discussion of the issue on my Free Radio Santa Cruz show, as mentioned above, but the latest is archived at http://www.radiolibre.org/brb/brb100513.mp3 (half an horu into the audio file).
After three hours at their new Elm St. location--to which they were driven by Farmer's Market expansion and police harassment at Lincoln and Cedar--the Drum Circle was pressured to move again. Accounts from Robert "Blindbear" Facer & Drum Circle Dave report 25-30 drummers moved to Scribner (Scope) Park next to the Town Clock. Police officers-including Officer Schonfield--then reportedly harassed and pursued the diminishing Drum Circler stalwarts on an "Indian walk" from spot to spot. The police cited anonymous complaints and ended up ticketing one or more drummers on the spurious charges though at no time did cops give the drummers the option to play more quietly as provided by MC 9.36.020.
I audioed and videoed the Wednesday Drum Circle at various points from 3 PM to 6 PM.
Though initially apprehensive about playing there because of police surveillance and direct harassment, drummers gradually began to re-assemble--encouraged by the example of Miguel ("Lito") de Leon who was one of the first to resume drumming in spite of pressure from Sgt. Harms, Officer Forbus, and Officer Winston.
Jacob and Sean of Antioch Church arrived with comfort coffee. Ronee of the Road (as I call her) followed shortly after with more coffee, doughnuts, and a chess table. Ronee provides regular sustenance as well as company and community to folks outside on Sundays on the sidewalk beside downtown Borders on Pacific Avenue during the mid-afternoon.
DRUG WAR OVERKILL
Cops were involved for half an hour or more in interrogating and ultimately taking away one man accused of meth possession or use. A second African American man was held and grilled by cops blocking the parking lot and ultimately cited for marijuana possession. Sgt. Harms attempted to frighten the black guy by describing me as someone who'd broadcast his name and face all over the radio, but according to the "suspect" hadn't told him what he was being detained for.
Harms's often stonewalls uestions from onlookers about what "crime" is happening, saying he must "protect the privacy" of the suspect. Then when I ask the suspect is asked directly, the suspect says he hasn't been told either. Unless there's a crowd present, Harms and other cops, will often say "we've already told you" Such responses seem a strategy to insulate the police department from any direct public understanding what they're actually doing with taxpayer money.
I loudly discussed the senseless cost of two squad cars and six cops blocking the parking lot for so long a period over so trivial a set of charges. It seemed to me to be either intentional or oblivious harassment of those playing there. At a time of budget crisis, it seemed an inappropriate use of police resources. But then 8 more cops have been budgeted for and some assigned to the downtown area to deal with “crimes” such as poor people public assembly and the like.
An indymedia journalist tried to take pictures of the event but was directed to "move away" because he was "blocking" the road, a job subsequently taken up by two squad cars.
Sgt. Harms and his subordinates Forbus and Winston would occasionally stride over to the circle and caution a drummer or watcher not to smoke—though there are no store entrances within half a block and no one present there was complaining. The Smoking Ban, as predicted by activist Becky Johnson, seems to have become a pretext for harassing the poor and a specific tool for interfering with group activity which the police want to eliminate.
AUDIO AND FLYERS
I audioed people without incident giving their perspective on events (which I'll be playing Sunday morning at 10 AM on Free Radio Santa Cruz at 101.1 FM http://www.freakradio.org ). One man insisted I was a police agent, but then he always says that when I walk by him. Various members of the crowd encouraged him to document his case or lower the volume.
I gave out a flier announcing the May 22nd 5 PM meeting of the Street Performers Guild and supporters at Louden Nelson Center, as well as a copy o the “Unreasonably Disturbing Noise” ordinance (MC 9.36.020) which police are using under cover of citizen complaint to shut down musicians (not just drummers) downtown.
LONG MARCH OF THE DRUM CIRCLE
When I returned to the Drum Circle around 6 PM, I found one man chatting with Sgt. Harms and everyone else gone. Drummers informed me later that Harms had said he'd “gotten complaints” and “suggested” they move to the park across from the Town Clock.
I subsequently received reports by phone and e-mail from Blindbear and DrumCircle Dave. They said they played for about half an hour at the park, apparently with “permission” from the next-door business Serpent's Kiss (permission to play is not required in public places, police behavior notwithstanding), but then were told by police to move. They went across the street to the Town Clock where after a shorter period of time, they were approached by Officer Schonfield and another cop and told to move again.
On each occasion they weren't told to “follow the law' by playing more softly, but to shut down or move. This is a pattern that repeatedly appears on Pacific Avenue when Schonfield or other officers approach musicians—using this illegal demand. It may be an actual departmental policy or simply misunderstanding on the part of the officers. In any case, it is a form of unconstitutional intimidation under color of law.
The group then moved to the Eagle Statue plaza next to Jamba Juice, and got the same treatment from Schonfield and partner. The same treatment was repeated in front of New Leaf and in back of the Del Mar Theater, with the group diminishing in size. At 9 PM police ticketed them—at somewhere near Walnut and Pacific. Reportedly Blindbear and Patrick got tickets, though it's not clear for what—presumably MC 9.36.020.
Drum Circle Dave says he's scoping out plans for next week's deadly Drum Circle and will keep us briefed.
For previous background on this subject, check out "Drum Circle Returning" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/12/18647713.php and "Drum Circle Defense: Confronting the Crackdown" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/04/18646999.php .
There's been regular discussion of the issue on my Free Radio Santa Cruz show, as mentioned above, but the latest is archived at http://www.radiolibre.org/brb/brb100513.mp3 (half an horu into the audio file).
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
I asked my coworkers. A lot of people like the drum circle during the Farmer's market, or feel that it adds ambience. It can't be that widespread of a feeling to want it gone. There must be just a few noise sensitive people who don't like the particular unorganized beat of this group
It's a larger issue than JUST the Drum Circle, or JUST the Veteran's Meeting Hall, or JUST the Guerrilla Drive-In, which was shut down by the police last night.
It's about EVERYONE'S right to assemble, and when the city or police say they're acting on behalf of the citizens of Santa Cruz, in reality, they are speaking of the fearful citizens, who conform, lest they be the next to be scapegoated.
Everyone should pick an event that interests them, and attend the next one.
Some of the groups under attack in Santa Cruz right now:
Guerrrilla Drive-in under attack
http://www.guerilladrivein.org/2010/05/community-report-back-may-14.html
Santa Cruz Farmers Market Drum Circle forced to move repeatedly, officers cite 'complaint' at every location in Downtown area despite hundreds in attendance.
From the Santa Cruz SENILE... Caveat Emptor: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_15028900
VFW Veterans displaced from their county-owned meeting hall at the top of the city's shopping district under the shakiest of (seismic... contested) circumstances.
Again, the SENILE: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_15084196
It's about EVERYONE'S right to assemble, and when the city or police say they're acting on behalf of the citizens of Santa Cruz, in reality, they are speaking of the fearful citizens, who conform, lest they be the next to be scapegoated.
Everyone should pick an event that interests them, and attend the next one.
Some of the groups under attack in Santa Cruz right now:
Guerrrilla Drive-in under attack
http://www.guerilladrivein.org/2010/05/community-report-back-may-14.html
Santa Cruz Farmers Market Drum Circle forced to move repeatedly, officers cite 'complaint' at every location in Downtown area despite hundreds in attendance.
From the Santa Cruz SENILE... Caveat Emptor: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_15028900
VFW Veterans displaced from their county-owned meeting hall at the top of the city's shopping district under the shakiest of (seismic... contested) circumstances.
Again, the SENILE: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_15084196
For more information:
http://auntieimperial.blogspot.com
"Assembling" is one thing. Driving everyone nuts with fucking drumming is another.
Why can't you understand that not everyone wants to hear stoned hippies pounding on drums all day?
Why can't you understand that not everyone wants to hear stoned hippies pounding on drums all day?
Why can't you understand that you only speak for yourself and there are quite a few people who either don't mind or become willing participants... Like this young Vietnamese woman who stopped after shopping at the Farmers Market to show her child how to play a drum.
Here's a glimpse, in pictures, of people.. Everyday Santa Cruz people who don't mind the drumming...
Maybe you just don't like children, or don't have a culture'.
Or mayb you think YOU are the only voice that matters along with your isolated and whining 'posse'
YOu're sooooo wrong!
Here's a glimpse, in pictures, of people.. Everyday Santa Cruz people who don't mind the drumming...
Maybe you just don't like children, or don't have a culture'.
Or mayb you think YOU are the only voice that matters along with your isolated and whining 'posse'
YOu're sooooo wrong!
Seriously, I can't tell if you do this for cynical fun, or if you're truly unaware of the irony. Regardless and in either case, it's priceless.
First you post tha "A second African American man was held and grilled by cops blocking the parking lot and ultimately cited for marijuana possession. Sgt. Harms attempted to frighten the black guy by describing me as someone who'd broadcast his name and face all over the radio.
But then you correct it to meth possession.....and you post his name all over the internet!
So it was worth hiding his identity when it was only pot and the cops warned him you would out him, but now that it's a felony charge you help to out him? Sort of makes me think the only reason you didn't do it the first time was because the cop said you would and you wanted to prove him wrong. Flashes me back to when you posted PalmSpringsBums phone number, or outted that dude with AIDS.
Anything is justifiable if it forwards your agenda; that's the message I take away from this.
First you post tha "A second African American man was held and grilled by cops blocking the parking lot and ultimately cited for marijuana possession. Sgt. Harms attempted to frighten the black guy by describing me as someone who'd broadcast his name and face all over the radio.
But then you correct it to meth possession.....and you post his name all over the internet!
So it was worth hiding his identity when it was only pot and the cops warned him you would out him, but now that it's a felony charge you help to out him? Sort of makes me think the only reason you didn't do it the first time was because the cop said you would and you wanted to prove him wrong. Flashes me back to when you posted PalmSpringsBums phone number, or outted that dude with AIDS.
Anything is justifiable if it forwards your agenda; that's the message I take away from this.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network