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Noise Demonstration at the County Jail in Solidarity with the Occupy Santa Cruz Arrestees
In solidarity with those arrested when the Occupy Santa Cruz encampment at San Lorenzo Park was raided by authorities the previous morning, community members held a noise demonstration and rally at the Santa Cruz County Jail on the evening of Friday, December 9. Approximately 50-75 community members brought percussion instruments and five gallon plastic water jugs and proceeded to drum in mass to communicate to the prisoners inside of the jail that community members would not give up support of their cause, and also to show the "compassion and fire" felt for those interned, and to stand strong when faced with police repression locally.
By the time the demonstration began on Friday at the county courthouse, five out of the six arrestees had been released. When initially booked into jail, unusually high bail amounts of $25,000-$50,000 were set for the individuals' who faced basic misdemeanor charges. They were charged with "obstructing an officer" even though some of them were only standing on the sidewalk observing the removal of the Occupy Santa Cruz camp, and moving back when authorities suggested they do so.
In addition to the noisemaking marching around the outer perimeter of the jail, a rally was held at the rear entrance. Community members spoke passionately about those inside. "There's brothers in there I have talked to who wanted to come out and support the camp, and were looking for a place to stay potentially when they got out, and now the camp's not there and they're not sure where they are going to go, and we are, occupy is a family, and it is a home to many people and so keep it going, keep it up. Brothers and sisters inside support it fully and whole heartedly," said one individual.
It was then asked if anyone wanted to sing a song, and a woman lead the group in the repeated choruses, "Who will sing the song, for the fallen down, beautiful ones, and how will redemption come for the stricken down beautiful ones?"
At 6pm, demonstrators left, and some attended the Occupy Santa Cruz general assembly that evening. The group's general assemblies are still being held after more than two months, on the steps of the county courthouse on Water Street.
For more information on how to help those arrested, see:
http://welovetheoscarrestees.blogspot.com/
For more information about Occupy Santa Cruz, see:
http://occupysantacruz.org/
Alex Darocy
http://alexdarocy.blogspot.com/
In addition to the noisemaking marching around the outer perimeter of the jail, a rally was held at the rear entrance. Community members spoke passionately about those inside. "There's brothers in there I have talked to who wanted to come out and support the camp, and were looking for a place to stay potentially when they got out, and now the camp's not there and they're not sure where they are going to go, and we are, occupy is a family, and it is a home to many people and so keep it going, keep it up. Brothers and sisters inside support it fully and whole heartedly," said one individual.
It was then asked if anyone wanted to sing a song, and a woman lead the group in the repeated choruses, "Who will sing the song, for the fallen down, beautiful ones, and how will redemption come for the stricken down beautiful ones?"
At 6pm, demonstrators left, and some attended the Occupy Santa Cruz general assembly that evening. The group's general assemblies are still being held after more than two months, on the steps of the county courthouse on Water Street.
For more information on how to help those arrested, see:
http://welovetheoscarrestees.blogspot.com/
For more information about Occupy Santa Cruz, see:
http://occupysantacruz.org/
Alex Darocy
http://alexdarocy.blogspot.com/
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awesome action, and beautiful photos!
This demo was great!! The folks involved were serious about what they were doing. It was entirely on public property. No property damage was involved. And no one got arrested. The point was well made: we the people are NOT HAPPY with our criminal-injustice system and are pushing at the very iron gates of power. INside the sheriffs can cower behind their pepper guns and stun guns. It will not be enough. The reign of the 1% is over.
What are they ashamed of? All the redacted faces, where do they all come from? This is not protest, this is cowardice. This is not civil disobedience, this is criminal thuggery.
I'm sure most of the participants in this event would have been ok with me publishing photos of their faces, however one was not, and it was in this context that I made the call to blur all of their faces.
There are a number of Middle Eastern women in town at the moment who would resent your insinuation you know?
If YOU had your way, would it be a crime to cover your face?
If not, then why would it be a crime if you make noise on public property?
That's really all I have to say about it.
If YOU had your way, would it be a crime to cover your face?
If not, then why would it be a crime if you make noise on public property?
That's really all I have to say about it.
For more information:
http://auntieimperial.blogspot.com
our country gets more oppressive everyday bob. complain about something worth complaining about. like police thuggery.
alex made a great call. i wish other photographers would do the same.
alex made a great call. i wish other photographers would do the same.
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