17th Sleep Out Supports Safe Sidewalk Sleeping

TO MAKE SLEEP LEGAL FOR THE POOR
Jumping off from last week's successful Sidewalk Safe Zone Sleep-Out, Freedom Sleepers will resume their "make Santa Cruz a safe and legal place for poor people who have no legal place to sleep" campaign against the City's anti-homeless Sleeping and Blanket Bans.

LESS TICKETS, MORE SLEEPING
At the last Freedom Sleep-Out no one was ticketed. The infamous "sleep deprivation special" Klieg Lights, though posted and 'guarded" by two (down from five) First Alarm Security guards, were not turned on.

20-30 folks slept through the night on the sidewalk or in vehicles nearby without getting MC 6.36. citations. Cops harass sleepers outside with these $149 tickets elsewhere in the City. Nearby other groups of sleepers also apparently slept without incident. The Safe Sleeping Zone seems to be expanding.

Modest peanut butter and jelly mini-sandwiches will be available later in the night and coffee the next morning (and in limited quantities during the night).


EXPANDING THE PROTEST
Up for discussion will be plans to intensify and extend the protest with secondary events such as teach-in's, skits, musical jams, and other welcoming events.

Also provoking both hope and skepticism--Mayor Lane's lengthy facebook lament which includes a specific offer to Amend the current camping ordinance to remove references to "sleep" and "sleeping" and "covering up with blankets." at https://www.facebook.com/Don.Lane.SC/posts/1039891709365296


LEGAL UPDATE
Many Freedom Sleepers have received "in the park after dark" citations from police with their "court trials" coming up shortly.
Last Friday, Max from Monterey to avoid losing more work and travel time, pled "no contest' to two of such "no public assembly at City Hall after dark" citations. One of his cites was dismissed and a second got him 24 hours of "Community Service".

Steve Pleich, who has also received such a ticket will be challenging the constitutionality of the law in a hearing in early December. Others will face court (no jury) trial in November.

Tristia Bowman of the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty may be calling in at the Tuesday protest from Washington, D.C. in search of prospective plaintiffs for a lawsuit against the City's anti-homeless laws.

And southern California Paul Cook may be on hand to consider distant legal support for the Sleepers as well. Cook was an adviser to an earlier project to sue the city for sleep deprivation in Small Claims Court.


IN OTHER NEWS
The most recent director of the Homeless (Lack of) Services Center [HLOSC] Jannen Thomas, has resigned and left town. Poverty impresario Phil Kramer, former Section 8 Voucher Shuffler of the 180/180 program, has taken over the reins of the prison-like compound at 115 Coral St.

Winter shelter services this year are less than last year, thanks to City Council's "fund the cops and freeze out the poor" policies. They have declined to restore meals, laundry, and bathroom services out at the HLOSC unless you have a "pathway to housing".

Waiting list sign-up's by phone for the adjacent River St. Shelter are still reportedly available. Call 831-459-6644 to get subsequent camping tickets automatically dismissed short of court (but call every three days to renew your place on the list).


A LOOK BACK
To follow the history of the Sleep-Out's go to "City Council Chatter, March, & Safe Slumber Event #16 " at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/10/26/18779269.php
and follow the links.

For a list of earlier Freedom Slumbers, Scroll down to find "Community Sleepouts Advance to 13th Week" at https://www.indybay.org/santacruz/