Police Surround Camp

After a 5 PM 12-7 deadline given by Dannnette Shoemaker's eviction notice, Occupy Santa Cruz activists put up peace flags, prepared to do a major trash clean-up, and discussed support plans for those being menaced by the threat of police arrest and property confiscation. Numerous volunteers stayed the night keeping watch over the camp. Vigilling in front of the courthouse on Water street and at the San Lorenzo Park Benchlands campground around the corner, after the mass flight prompted by Dannette Shoemaker's "Evacuation" order.

The order was misleadingly titled (suggesting some kind of threat requried vacating an area to another area--but there was no threat and no area to be evacuated to). Many picked up tents, some saying the intended to return another day.

The order was misleadingly titled (suggesting some kind of threat required vacating an area to another area--but there was no threat and no area to be evacuated to). Many picked up tents, some saying the intended to return another day.

After a 5 PM 12-7 deadline given by Dannnette Shoemaker's eviction notice, Occupy Santa Cruz activists put up peace flags, prepared to do a major trash clean-up, and discussed support plans for those being menaced by the threat of police arrest and property confiscation. Numerous volunteers stayed the night keeping watch over the camp.

Vigiling in front of the courthouse on Water street and at the San Lorenzo Park Benchlands campground around the corner, there were no further arrests and evictions after the mass scare prompted by Dannette Shoemaker's "Evacuation" order. The order was misleadingly titled (suggesting some kind of threat requried v

About 30 tents and perhaps twice as many campers and activists remained in San Lorenzo Park after the "evacuation to nowhere" order given several days ago. An appeal from the order was rejected without hearing by Dannette Shoemaker--Parks and Rec boss--on Tuesday. A hasty ex parte court hearing saw Judge Volkman reject the requested stay from attorney Ed Frey on Wednesday afternoon.

Media gathered at the 5 PM deadline yesterday as homeless people abandoned their property in their rush to be out byt he 5 PM deadline. Others declared they were staying, some insisting their spirits would not be broken by this latest attack on the 2 1/2 month old community. A press release issued by OSC announced a march to Shoemaker's office today at noon.

Some campers moved onto county property (the park is city property), only to be confronted later that night by First Alarm security threats which prompted them to return to San Lorenzo Park.

As of 6:15 AM, police had not moved on the campground in a sweep, apparently relying on the threat of assault and property seizure to frighten folks into the bushes.
Earlier in the night, one activist purchased a tent, the set it around him as a new "fashion statement". When confronted by First Alarm guards saying they'd "call the sheriffs" (to complain he had a tent on county property), he stood up and the attached tent stood up with him. He insisted it was a part of his wardrobe. TV media awaited the arrival of police, but they were a no show when I left.

The OSC General Assembly did not consense on proposed motions to cut back from daily meetings, move to another location, or move indoors. Many felt that surrendering the right to assemble peaceably at the courthouse and county building was unacceptable. Approximately 100 people assembled "illegally" for several hours during the General Assembly, with nary a peep from police or sheriffs though everyone of them (this writer included) was apparently guilty of "trespass" under the new edicts.

One wag noted, "I guess they haven't got the stomach to bully large groups." Two activists, Tom and Mike [arrested for trespass on Monday morning in front of the courthouse] had chained themselves to the railing in protest against County Administrator Susan Mauriello's unprecedented posting of "No Trespass 7 PM to 7 AM" signs all over the county government center grounds.

Five sheriffs in plainclothes earlier detained three people on probation/parole holds on suspicion of "marijuana" while activists filmed the 20-minute confrontation wondering why Santa Cruz was taking the lead in a reactionary war against marijuana.

OSC is still apparently encouraging people to volunteer, bring blankets, food, flashlights, and cameras down to the courthouse area as well as support ongoing actions around foreclosure, port shutdown, and exposing/confronting banksters.