Last Year's Protests Against the Sleeping Ban Go to Jury Trial

PeaceCamp 6 Face “Lodging” Charges : Jail Not Housing for The Homeless

+++ Eliot Anderson, Arthur Bishoff, Collette Connolly, Christopher Doyon, Gary Johnson, and Ed Frey are charged with multiple counts of “lodging” (PC 647e) for their peaceful protest against the Santa Cruz City Sleeping Ban (MC 6.36.010a).

+++ This law criminalizes 1500-2000 homeless people each night on any public property and much private property. This is in a city that has no walk-in emergency shelter, only waiting lists and space for less than 60 people from in the Paul Lee Loft from April through November. It is also illegal to sleep in your own vehicle at night.

+++ Last Summer HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) and Peace Camp 2010 (PC 2010) established a “safe sleeping zone” serving up to sixty people per night who had no other option. The protest survived repeatedly harassment, tickets, and arrests by SCPD and County Sheriff's for three months. (See http://www.peacecamp2010.blogspot.com/ .)

+++ PC2010 in front of the County Courthouse funded and provided the City's only bathroom facility open at night (a rented portapotty).

+++ In response Santa Cruz County Sheriff's made a series of arrests and made more than 40 citations for misdemeanor lodging (PC 647e).

+++ 647e is unconstitutional for being vague and overly broad. It reads: “Every person...is guilty of disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor...who lodges in any building, structure, vehicle, or place, whether public or private, without the permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession or in control of it.”

+++ Dozens of homeless people face misdemeanor 647e charges topped by Failure to Appear warrants for joining this peaceful sleeping protest in July through October 2010.

+++ Former Homeless Issues Task Force Chair Linda Lemaster also faces up to a year in jail and $1000 fine for "lodging" (holding a protest sign) in an early May jury trial.

+++ Jury selection begins on Monday morning. The prosecution is expected to give his opening statement and begin calling his 30 police witnesses on Tuesday or Wednesday. Attorney Ed Frey will be defending himself and his five companions.


READ activist Becky Johnson's most recent summary of the PeaceCamp 6 at : http://beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/2011/04/647-e-anti-lodging-jury-trials-to-begin.html .

FOLLOW the saga of PeaceCamp2010 at http://www.peacecamp2010.blogspot.com/ .

SUPPORT PC2010 attorney Ed Frey with legal and financial assistance at 831-479-8911

DEMAND D.A. Bob Lee end the PC2010 Prosecutions: 831-454-2400

FIGHT BACK against police and court oppression against the homeless. Join HUFF: 831-423-4833 or check out the HUFF meeting 10:30 AM -12:30 PM Wednesdays at the Sub Rosa Cafe 703 Pacific

CONTACT Steve Pleich with the Homeless Legal Assistance Project to help with tickets at 831-334-8692 or meet with him at the Red Church at Cedar and Lincoln 6 PM each Monday night.