Sidewalk Struggle Continues: Freedom SleepOut #57 Tonight

Another round of persistent struggle to restore the Right to Rest for unhoused folks in Santa Cruz with coffee and soup support as well as the likely First Alarm Security wake-up's and police surveillance.

RV DWELLERS FACE BAN RUBBERSTAMP ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
Wednesday morning 8-10 RV dwellers may watch the final nail in their coffin as far as the right to park at night in Santa Cruz goes. The likely pro-forma hearing will take place at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley 6001 La Madrona Drive to start at 9 AM 8-10. For details, see "Say No to the Nighttime RV Ban at the Coastal Commission Hearing " at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/08/08/18789945.php .

ELECTION ANTICS BEGIN
Candidate forums for who'll be warming City Council seats in November begin Thursday night 8-11 7 - 8.30pm at Peace United 900 High St. WARNING TO THE NEWCOMER: Such forums are usually highly controlled, though this one may be a bit more liberal. Usually more of a place to shmooze after the event than actually get a chance for meaningful public dialogue with the candidates.

Reportedly former Mayor Christopher Krohn has entered the race. While more liberal in rhetoric than most Councilmembers on many issues, he earned notoriety (and cost the City $200,000 in legal fees) for arresting a man at City Council for a silent protest involving a Nazi salute 14 years ago. He also declined to provide the promised independent voice against police abuse, for city council access, and for homeless civil rights.

SALINAS SLEEPOUT STILL GOING STRONG
Wes White, Salinas activist, reports the Flagpole Community is still holding its nightly (!) sleepout's at Salinas City Hall as they enter their 5th month of nighttime beddown. As in Santa Cruz, the event is largely a homeless one, though White is an untiring (though very tired) activist and organizer. Contact him for information at 831-296-0042 or luckyagentwes [at] yahoo.com . Also check out Monterey County Homeless Advocates on facebook.

Four charged with Storage of Personal Property on City Property (i.e. setting down your backpack and tent while resting during the day) August 24th at 1:30 PM in Courtroom 7 facing misdemeanor penalties. White reports police have hit over 100 campsites stealing 4-5 tons of homeless property since they began attacks on March 23rd.

See Alex Darocy's vivid coverage and narrative at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/08/02/18789777.php ("Following the Chinatown Homeless Sweeps, A New Tent Community Thrives at Salinas City Hall"). My most recent interview with White is at http://radiolibre.org/brb/brb160807.mp3 (34 minutes into the audio file).


FREEDOM SLEEPER ARRESTED MULTIPLE TIMES ON PACIFIC AVE.
Longtime outspoken Freedom Sleeper activist "Let 'Em Have It!" Lucero Luna has been arrested multiple times on Pacific Avenue--most recently at the Metro--according to Steve Pleich's facebook page. At one point she was being held on $5000 bail for what jail authorities would only identify as "Municipal Code" violations.

Artists Joff Jones and Alex Skelton have purchased a vehicle and were displaying their artwork on Pacific Avenue posted there and so not subject to the "Vanish the Vendors" law limiting folks to the performance pens or "blue/brass boxes" along the sidewalk. Arrested five times since last year for displaying their paintings, the two face trial 1:30 PM August 30 Dept. 10 on two counts under the new laws in the basement of the County Building. More details at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/07/25/18789452.php

HOMELESS MAN EVICTED FROM HOMELESS (LACK OF) SERVICES CENTER, GETS PNEUMONIA
Long time resident and volunteer Andy Carcello reported being evicted on August 1 from the Paul Lee loft in spite of a severe medical condition. On August 2nd he reports "[I was] laying outside the iron gates of SCHS; an ambulance was called for me; and I was immediately transported to Dominican Hospitals Emergency Room. I was dying from congestive heart failure, severe stenosis in two of my heart valves, and pneumonia. " He reportedly went into heart surgery yesterday.

More info on the Freedom Sleepers is frequently available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomsleepers/ . Donations of food, blankets, sleeping bags, and energy are always welcome.

This calendar event description was written by Robert Norse, who is alone responsible for its content.