Homeless Bans Beaten Back Elsewhere; Santa Cruz Freedom Sleepers prepare SleepOut #62

STEADFAST SLEEPERS VERSUS SLUMBERING CITY COUNCIL
While sleeping continues to be illegal (and sleepers hassled) throughout Santa Cruz elsewhere, the Tuesday night "Safe Zone" set up by the persistence and determination of the Freedom Sleepers continues to shame city electeds and officials as they walk by with eyes averted.

The homeless-hostile City Council has an afternoon session with little or nothing on the agenda that alters the "no shelter for the poor", "no relief from the cops" situation of folks outdoors, and no improvements for tenants and workers.

Mayor "Two Minute" Mathews is expected to allow only 2 minutes apiece at 5 p.m. for Oral Communications regardless of how few speakers there are and how much time is actually available. Tjhis is the time when folks can talk about items not on the agenda such as police abuse, tenant rights, access to public spaces, criminalization of the poor.

The Sidewalk Sleeper Community will likely find food and coffee as well as company Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

RV UPDATE
The first report of an overnight-RV-ban-in-the-County has come in, though there doesn't yet seem to be massive enforcement. Santa Barbara activists are busy using the Coastal Commission access requirements to challenge their RV restrictions.

GOOD NEWS FROM OTHER CITIES: LEGAL PUSHBACK
Utah: http://fox13now.com/2016/06/10/aclu-warns-slc-about-violating-homeless-peoples-constitutional-rights/
http://www.acluutah.org/blog/item/1177-statement-on-homelessness#.V1q-cLl8xZo.twitter
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865655802/Salt-Lake-City-Council-eyes-580000-in-homeless-services-funding.html

Hawaii: Restitution Awarded: http://m.hawaiinewsnow.com/hawaiinewsnow/db_330510/contentdetail.htm?full=true&contentguid=qQcpzoCM&pn=&ps=#display
http://www.civilbeat.org/2016/08/lawsuit-over-homeless-sweeps-a-step-closer-to-settlement/ (and see comments!)

Pomona: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-pomona-homeless-settlement-20160911-snap-story.html
http://myinforms.com/en-us/a/41004526-pomona-settles-lawsuit-over-confiscation-of-homeless-peoples-property/

SALINAS STANDOFF
Meanwhile in Salinas, the Flagpole Community has slept out NIGHTLY at City Hall since late March. It plans a 6-Month Celebration on September 24th noon to 3 PM with a bbq (with the Mayor and City Council, perhaps, as the main dish?). "Whip 'em into Shape" Wes White noted he may be trying a "mob the mike" strategy with the heart-deaf Salinas City Council today at 4 PM.

Freedom Sleepers need blankets, bags, food, friends, and other support--as ever. Come on down! https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomsleepers/