Monthly Archives: April 2020

Brief HUFF minimeet A HUFFster or two will be lingering at the Food Not Bombs meal today (4-29) at 1 PM at Laurel and Front St. to gathering reports, distribute some supplies, wear masks, keep distance

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HUFF Huddle:  Today at 1 PM at the Food Not Bombs meal at Laurel and Front Sts.  Coffee unlikely. No Street Spirits yet. Meeting will be small, brief, distanced, and masked to deter police interference. 

  • Santa Cruz City Council report from 4-28:  Our response to the refusal to rein in the City Manager; Mayor Cummings, City Mangler Bernal, and COVID Enabler O’Hara justify past and future attacks on Food Not Bombs.  General Council report.

  • Raising Our Voices Higher! Expand and Extend: the “Motel Rooms Now!” demands.  See “Shame on Santa Cruz–Hotels Not Hospitals” at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/21/18832547.php
  • A Second Tour of Shame? to demand and expose unspent moneys, vacant hotel rooms, encampments without portapotties or washstations, COVID-19 vulnerable shelters, etc.

  • Tracking Those in Power:  Who are our Key Powerbrokers to Petition and Protest for Opening Motel Rooms under Project Roomkey?  “California could house its entire population in empty hotel rooms right now” at  https://www.curbed.com/2020/4/22/21215319/empty-hotels-homeless-housing-california-coronavirus 
  • Progress Reports on the 99%: on Encampments outside including San Lorenzo Park, Coral St., the Pogonip: What they need, how they’re faring, new contacts

  • Coronavirus Copwatch: How are police/rangers/security thugs respecting the rights and providing fair service to those with backpacks and ragged clothing downtown and around the County?
  • Shelter Casualty Report:  Are those inside the Vet’s Hall, Laurel St., Armory, and Coral St. being offered COVID-19 testing if they want it?  How many have been offered rooms as “vulnerable”?   How many classified as “vulnerable”?   How many want them?  How many are sick?   How many have been sick?  How many have been evicted–and what protections do they have?  https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus-testing-for-all-sf-supervisor-demands-universal-testing-in-homeless-shelters/  Few answers were provided or requested at yesterday’s City Council meeting.
  • Still Relevant and Telling: SF Coalition on Homelessness panel of medical experts demands testing now, and immediate movement of crowded shelter residents into individual motel rooms. Still relevant is the press conference & discussion at https://www.facebook.com/CoalitionOnHomelessness/videos/2954977444559143/?  

  • SC Homeless Union Looking:  …for blankets, tents, and other survival gear.  Leave them at the Food Not Bombs meal (see below) or call Alicia at 431-7766.   …for medical professionals working in respiratory therapy, nursing, other life-saving professions willing to write, e-mail, or call city, county, and state officials to open up the motel rooms.  
  • Food Not Bombs [FNB] meal and clothes distribution is still  daily 1-6 PM at the parking lot next to the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union at Laurel & Front.  Weekends the meal will be 4-6 PM.   Food preppers wanted at Vet’s Hall weekends noon.
  • Still unanswered questions:
  • How many of those crammed into unhealthy shelters have been offered the option of motel rooms rather than the dangerous conditions in the Vet’s Hall, the Armory, the Laurel St. shelter, Page Smith Community House, and the Paul Lee Loft?  
  • Why are no City Council members demanding these figures from the City Managers Bernal & O’Hara?
  • Of those in the unhealthy shelters, how many have been tested for COVID-19?  How many are sick?   How many have recovered? 
  • Where’s the FEMA and Governor’s funding specifically for those motel rooms?  How much is left?  How was it spent?
  • Why isn’t Santa Cruz doing what San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other Counties are doing: Immediately Housing Vulnerable Folks Now!
  • What are the priorities–are the most vulnerable but not yet ill or COVID-19 infected–to be last while waiting for the sickness to hit?
  • Still fenced off and vacant: the Town Clock and nearby areas.  Why?  To deter homeless people from setting up survival tents as was the case around the Town Clock and next to the Post Office?  To dramatize the power of the police chief and city manager?
  • Metro and Park Bathrooms Still Closed?:  Even during the day?   With so many people sleeping in San Lorenzo Park?   Some portapotties and washing stations are reportedly insufficiently cleaned and often lack water, toilet paper, and paper towels  HUFF IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO .DO A DAILY CHECK AND REPORT IN ON THE VARIOUS PORTAPOTTIES AND PRIMITIVE GARAGE BATHROOMS (often lacking privacy) throughout the City.. We checked a few during the Tour of Shame last Sunday, but need to do so more thoroughly and regularly.
  • Rent strike reports?: FNB reports folks reporting illegal evictions continue.  And vacant buildings remain vacant as the virus spreads.   Contact Tenant Sanctuary with reports of illegal evictions at (831)200-0740 .
  • HUFF MAY BE ORGANIZING BY PHONE to support the demand for Motel rooms before the only option  is quarantine areas.  CONTACT US AT 831-423-4833 OR RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP OR WANT TO PROVIDE REPORTS.
  • Street Spirit newspaper distribution operations are currently suspended, but the Berkeley vendor center is still reportedly  looking for ways to provide some interim support for vendors whose sales lifeline has been cut off.  No word yet.
  • Frequent local updates can still be found on Facebook under Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs, Santa Cruz County Homeless Advocates, Homeless Outside in Santa Cruz, SCCCP (Santa Cruz and Central Coast Politics), Monterey County Homeless Advocates, The Santa Cruz Community, (SF) Coalition on Homelessness.  More distant updates:  homelesstimes.com, http://homelessperspective.com, https://wraphome.org/,

HISTORICAL REMINDERS from a HUFFster’s perspective

  • Check at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html to hear a series of phoned-in reports from different activists and workers–which should be posted shortly and may be updated more frequently.
  •  City Manager Martin Bernal provided a handful of portapotties  City-wide and cold water washstands after refusing to do so for months, but maintained nighttime closure of bathrooms in parks in spite of the emergency situation and repeated calls and e-mails.   Nor has the County acted to provide basic sanitary facilities for the poorest outside, though it has financial and organization resources to do so.
  • City agencies have opposed Food Not Bombs, the Depot Project, Bagels on Bikes, HUFF, and other organizations their attempts to establish such vital resources.
  • Recent shutdowns at the Library, Louden Nelson, the Metro, the publicly sponsored Bookshop Santa Cruz, closed restaurants and businesses make this situation ever more dangerous both for folks outside and the broader community.
  • Very very few motel or hotel rooms are yet available for the 1000-2000 homeless outside who want and may need them to shelter more safely and securely in spite of government directives and financial grants. 
  • The inadequate “normal” charitable activities of those working with churches, social services, etc. have been cut back or closed–many of the staff of these organizations are over 60 and particularly vulnerable to the corona virus.
  • Normal donations to those directly seeking survival money through “panhandling” have been discouraged or criminalized under the new emergency regs, enacted without public discussion or vote.
  • Public transportation options have been restricted or shut down, making access to what limited resources there are even more problematic.
  • Mayor Cummings has issued no calls for an emergency Council meeting to pass elementary measures already done in other cities like a moratorium on evictions and rents. 
  • City Manager Martin Bernal & the City Council majority have a long history of resisting the expansion of basic services for the less privileged in town.
  • Supervisor Coonerty and the Board of Supervisors have declined to provide county-wide resources in an equitable and sensible fashion.
  • The health of the community depends on our community action through a direct and united response.
  • Up to now we have seen how “concerned” and “effective” local authorities have been in meeting the needs of renters and those outside.
  • Meekly following the dictates of authority in this crisis has not in the past, nor likely in the future, to be a wise, health-providing, and productive course.
  • We must confront directly, clearly, persistently, loudly and immediately to secure the basic survival needs of the community in the current crisis.
  • With washed hands and care to keep physical distance, bring food and yourselves to the noon food serving to sustain the survival effort and take the necessary future steps.
  • Contact Food Not Bombs (575-770-3377), HUFF (831-423-4833), or the Santa Cruz Homeless Union (831-431-7766) if unable to come for health or other reasons. (454-2200) and you wish to help.

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides streams today (4-26-20) at freakradio.org Protests Small & Large: Sacramento Activst/Attorney Cathreen Williams on Monday’s Upcoming Car Protest, Beating Back the Bullies in Berkeley; Flashback to Sept 30, 2010

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Today’s show streams at freakradio.org and archives at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

ON TODAY’S SHOW:   

***  Cathleen Williams on a broad protest Coalition in Sacramento Fighting Back to Stop the Sweeps

***  Resisting UCB’s Latest Plans to Build a 19 Story Building on People’s Park 

https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2020-04-24

***  Andrea Hensen’s Update on KPFA from Where Do We Go?–the Successful Surviving Encampment Lighthouse

***  Tackling Shelter Problems with “Tuf ‘n Tender” Thomas–Monitoring an AFC Group

***  Alicia Kuhl Denounces City Council’s Rubberstamping of Attacks on Food Not Bombs

***  FNB fragments:  Jack-of-all-Trades Julio, Jim, Keith, & more at Laurel & Front St. 4-22 ***  https://inewsource.org/2020/04/22/san-diego-could-put-homeless-in-motels-with-history-of-bedbug-mold-complaints/? — San Diego Blues ***  Sustaining the Protest–HUFF & the Homeless Union Return to Protest the Motel LockOut 4-24
***  Beggarbacker Becky Johnson of Seaside Supports Motel Rooms for the Homeless But Opposes Shelter-in-Place

FLASHBACK TO 9-30-2010

  • Co-Host Steve Pleich….
  • Street Interviews: 9-30 Doug Zigzag denounces El Centro on Pacific Ave. and discusses the Pacific Ave. scene…
  • 9-21 Commissioner Kim Baskett’s Verdict in the Norse-Facer Unreasonably Disturbing Noises case (aka the Sinister Singsong Two) followed by commentary…
  •  (http://original.antiwar.com/kevin-b-zeese/2010/09/29/obama-continues-bushs-attacks-on-activists/)…
  • Discussion of the new amendments to the Camping Ordinance…
  • Audio of Community TV’s Sandra Leigh interviewing Curbhugger Chris on PeaceCamp2010

Most Recent Archived Overflow Interviews at

http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

Recent Past Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/wordpress/Many Earlier Shows are Described at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/brb-descriptions.html
Earliest Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/archivemain.html

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides netcast streams tonight 4-23-20 at 6 PM at freakradio.org: Terribly Tiny Tour of Shame Bits and Blurbs; Unofficial Updates from the Vets Hall Shelter

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Check out the show at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html . 

New postings and interviews from the last few days at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html



ON TODAY’S SHOWxxx Declining Days in Fresno with Mike Rhodes
xxx More Questions Than Answers in Correspondence with County Health Worker Jessica Scheiner  https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/23/18832587.php
xxx  Motel Rooms Not Confined-Coronavirus-Trap Shelters Protest 4-20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHG9HaQrPS8   https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/20/18832521.php



TAKE OUR MONEY, PLEASE !   
STUDIO SITE REWARD STILL AVAILABLE !


Free Radio Santa Cruz stands ready to dole out $300 for info leading to a 10′ X 10′ studio space with bathroom, internet, and electrical access–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure).  We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.   Help us so we can help you!

Correspondence on COVID-19 and the Homeless With County Healthsters

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Jessica,
Thanks for your answers.  I, of course, have more questions.  These are in CAPITALS below.
I will forward your answers to many others interested in your stats.  

You are also invited to attend the protest happening Friday April 24th outside of Denny’s on Ocean Ave noon to 2 PM.  See “Shame on Santa Cruz–Hotels Not Hospitals” at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/21/18832547.php . 

Coverage of an earlier protest can be found at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/20/18832521.php (Demonstrators Demand Santa Cruz Provide Hotel Vouchers for the Homeless).  An earlier story I posted is at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/19/18832493.php (Questions that Demand Answers).
Please reply with whatever information you have to the attached questions or refer me to those who have the information, if you don’t.
Thanks again,

Robert Norse HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom)

Robert,

Your e-mail was forwarded to me.  Please see my answers to your questions below in red: (Note: This blog does not have the answers in red but the answers from her are right after each question)

As you know, the Supes finally unanimously voted to open motel rooms to thousands of homeless people

(https://48hills.org/2020/04/supes-approve-bill-mandating-hotel-rooms-now/?
https://sfist.com/2020/03/24/san-francisco-hotels-offer-up-8500-rooms-and-counting-for-homeless-healthcare-workers/).

Reports about Santa Cruz’s failure to empty its dangerous group shelters continue to be unclear. Can you provide either stats or informed estimates in answer to the following questions?

  • How many motel rooms are currently available for housing homeless folks?
    • There are currently 27 motel rooms in contract with the County for persons experiencing homelessness who are symptomatic or medically vulnerable.  WHEN WERE THESE ROOMS ACQUIRED?   The County is expecting to have two more motels ready for occupancy by the end of next week, which would provide a total of 112 rooms. We are looking into securing additional sites to provide isolation and quarantine services for unhoused residents.
  • How many are currently vacant, how many occupied?
    • Approximately 20 of the 27 motel rooms are currently occupied. Under the prioritization system laid out as part of Project Roomkey, the County is keeping a certain number of rooms available for people who are homeless who test positive for COVID-19, or who need to quarantine because of the likelihood of infection.  HOW MANY OF THE ROOMS ARE BEING OCCUPIED BY PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE BUT NOT COVID-19 POSITIVE OR SICK WITH SYMPTOMS?  

  • HOW MANY (IF ANY) ARE BEING USED BY HOMELESS PEOPLE (SAY THOSE IN SHELTERS, BUT ALSO THOSE OUTSIDE) WHO WERE IN CONTACT WITH THOSE WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19?
  • What’s the cost of these rooms?  How much funding is still available?
    • The County expects to receive $800,000 from the State for all the sheltering activities underway due to COVID19. Some of these funds will be used for the hotel shelters. In addition to the cost of securing the rooms, the County must provide associated services, cleaning, security, insurance, meals and other supplies that allow residents to stay in rooms and isolate. As you noted, we and many others around the state are watching San Francisco to see if they are able to deliver on the Board’s mandate – our preliminary calculations show the cost of securing 7,000 hotel rooms to be nearly $1.2 million per day. HOW MUCH COVID-19 HOUSING FUNDING HAS NOT YET BEEN SPENT?
    • Governor Newsom also announced a master lease agreement with Motel 6 to provide rooms under Project Roomkey. It is unclear what, if any, impact that agreement will have on Santa Cruz County’s unhoused population.
  • Have all shelter operators (or at least Salvation Army and Housing Matters) offered its clients the option to go into these shelters?
    • All shelter operators were able to refer their participants to the motel.  DOES “REFERRED” MEAN THAT SHELTER CLIENTS WERE OFFERED ACCESS TO THE ROOMS?  HOW MANY IN THE SHELTERS WERE NOT OFFERED THE ROOMS?   Referred persons were screened and placed in the motel, first based on their COVID-19 status and then on medical vulnerability and age, consistent with the prioritization guidelines of Project Roomkey.  The initial 27 rooms are insufficient to meet the need; the County is actively seeking more hotels willing to partner consistent with the terms of the Governor’s program.  HOW MANY WHO MET THE REQUIREMENTS WERE UNABLE TO BE PLACED IN SAFER MOTEL ROOMS?
  • Or rather are only those who are (a) sick and (b) COVID-19 positive being given that option?   Is it an option or a requirement for the COVID-19 cases?
    • No one is required to go to the motel. The first priority for the motel is to provide persons who are confirmed or presumed COVID-19 positive the opportunity to isolate or quarantine. After those needs are met, the remaining rooms are offered to people who are at highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 by virtue of their age and/or medical vulnerability.  WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR MEDICAL VULNERABILITY THAT YOU ARE USING?   It is important to note that while we currently have no known COVID-19 cases in the unhoused population, Santa Cruz County’s surge is now projected to hit in mid-May, and we must keep rooms available for immediate isolation of diagnosed patients in order to minimize community harm.  HOW MANY OF THOSE IN SHELTERS HAVE BEEN TESTED?   HAS EVERYONE WHO REQUESTED A TEST BEEN GIVEN ONE?
  • Most important, is the motel option being offered to all homeless people in these shelters?
    • No, the County does not have enough motel rooms under contract to offer one to every person staying in a shelter.   As described above, another part of the County’s overall strategy is to help shelters transition to a shelter-in-place model that allows participants to remain at the site 24/7 with appropriate distancing and hygiene practices.  The County will continue to focus on serving the most medically vulnerable and those needing isolation and quarantine as it secures additional motel rooms.  HOW MANY MEDICALLY VULNERABLE PEOPLE OUTSIDE AND NOT IN SHELTERS HAVE YOU INCLUDED IN YOUR MOTEL SANCTUARIES?  HOW MANY HAVE BEEN TESTED OR EXAMINED FOR COVID-19, SICKNESS, OR VULNERABILITY?
  • Or are, at least, elderly and vulnerable people being offered the rooms?  What are the specific criteria?
    • As noted, we have moved a number of medically vulnerable individuals from the existing shelter network into hotel rooms.  WHAT NUMBER?  HOW MANY ARE NOT BEING SHELTERED?  This not only protects those individuals, but also those who remain in the shelter network as we increase physical distancing in shelters in accordance with CDC guidelines.  ARE YOU CLAIMING THAT CDC GUIDELINES SUGGEST THAT ANY COLLEGIATE SHELTERING OF UNAFFILIATED GROUPS IS SAFE?   IF SO, PLEASE CITE THE CDC DOCUMENTS THAT BACK UP THIS CLAIM.  We are prioritizing elderly individuals and persons with pre-existing medical conditions that make them especially at-risk for mortality should they contract COVID-19.
  • Who has these statistics if you do not?  What is their contact information?
    • Please see above responses.
  • How many cases of sickness have appeared in the Paul Lee Loft, the Page Smith Community House, the Laurel St. Shelter, the Armory, and the Vets Hall?  How many documented COVID-19 cases in each place?  
    • While persons experiencing homelessness have been tested and a handful have been quarantined pending test results, HOW MANY WOULD THAT BE?  there have been no confirmed COVID-19 positive individuals in the homeless community in Santa Cruz County. To help prevent persons becoming sick with COVID-19,  we continue to build capacity by opening new shelters (these include new shelters at the Santa Cruz and Watsonville Veteran’s Memorial Buildings, as well a transition-age youth shelter at Simpkins Family Swim Center), increasing physical distancing in existing shelters, opening hotels for isolation and quarantine, and sheltering.  WHAT ARE THE DAILY COSTS OF RUNNING THOSE SHELTERS?  PLEASE ITEMIZE THE COST OF RUNNING ALL THE CURRENT SHELTERS, AS FAR AS PUBLIC FUNDS GO. We have requested trailers from the state to provide additional sheltering capacity. We are also getting additional supplies out to people who are still living outdoors so that they are better able to shelter in place according to CDC guidelines. We have also conducted outreach to the unhoused population to educate them on safe practices, including physical distancing. HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON A DAILY BASIS TO PROVIDE FOOD, SURVIVAL GEAR, TRASH PICK-UP, PORTAPOTTY OR BATHROOM SERVICING, LAUNDRY AND SHOWER ACCESS, AND ELECTRICAL RECHARGING CAPACITY FOR THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY WHO ARE CURRENTLY WITHOUT SHELTER?  PLEASE SPECIFY THE SERVICES BEING MADE AVAILABLE AND THEIR COSTS IN EACH OF THESE CATEGORIES.  ALSO INDICATE HOW MUCH OF THE MONEY AVAILABLE IS GOING FOR SALARIES, OFFICES, AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE OVERHEAD.

I am also cc-ing a number of county officials who might be helpful.  I encourage them to provide whatever help they can.

If I can get some simple direct answers, I won’t have to follow this up with a specific and time-consuming (for me and staff) Public Records Act request.

For additional information, please also see the County’s Press Release regarding its COVID-19 Homelessness Task Force at: https://www.santacruzhumanservices.org/Portals/0/hsd/temporary/COVID19TaskForce.04012020.pdf

Thank you,

Jessica

HUFF minimeet A HUFFster or two will be lingering at the Food Not Bombs meal today at 1 PM at Laurel and Front St. Goal: To demand vacant motel room options for those in crowded shelters or outside, to monitor police behavior, to link up with others

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  • HUFF Huddle:  Today at 1 PM at the Food Not Bombs meal at Laurel and Front Sts.  Coffee unlikely.

  • Raising Our Voices Higher! Expand and Extend the Protest to stop City and County Stonewalling: the Second “Motel Rooms Now!” protest at Ocean and Graham Hill Road near Denny’s.  See “Shame on Santa Cruz–Hotels Not Hospitals” at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/21/18832547.php for more information on the noon-2 PM Friday April 24th Protest 
  • A Second Tour of Shame? to demand and expose unspent moneys, vacant hotel rooms, encampments without portapotties or washstations, COVID-19 vulnerable shelters, etc.

  • Tracking Those in Power:  Who are our Key Powerbrokers to Petition and Protest for Opening Motel Rooms under Project Roomkey?  “California could house its entire population in empty hotel rooms right now” at  https://www.curbed.com/2020/4/22/21215319/empty-hotels-homeless-housing-california-coronavirus 
  • Progress Reports on the 99%: on Encampments outside including San Lorenzo Park, Coral St., the Pogonip: What they need, how they’re faring, new contacts

  • Coronavirus Copwatch: How are police/rangers/security thugs respecting the rights and providing fair service to those with backpacks and ragged clothing downtown and around the County?
  • Shelter Casualty Report:  Are those inside the Vet’s Hall, Laurel St., Armory, and Coral St. being offered COVID-19 testing if they want it?  How many have been offered rooms as “vulnerable”?   How many classified as “vulnerable”?   How many want them?  How many are sick?   How many have been sick?  How many have been evicted–and what protections do they have?  https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/04/20/coronavirus-testing-for-all-sf-supervisor-demands-universal-testing-in-homeless-shelters/
  • Still Relevant and Telling: SF Coalition on Homelessness panel of medical experts demands testing now, and immediate movement of crowded shelter residents into individual motel rooms. Still relevant is the press conference & discussion at https://www.facebook.com/CoalitionOnHomelessness/videos/2954977444559143/?  

  • SC Homeless Union Looking:  …for blankets, tents, and other survival gear.  Leave them at the Food Not Bombs meal (see below) or call Alicia at 431-7766.   …for medical professionals working in respiratory therapy, nursing, other life-saving professions willing to write, e-mail, or call city, county, and state officials to open up the motel rooms.  
  • Food Not Bombs [FNB] meal and clothes distribution is still  daily 1-6 PM at the parking lot next to the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union at Laurel & Front.  Weekends the meal will be 4-6 PM.   Food preppers wanted at Vet’s Hall weekends noon.
  • Still largely unanswered questions:
  • How many of those crammed into unhealthy shelters have been offered the option of motel rooms rather than the dangerous conditions in the Vet’s Hall, the Armory, the Laurel St. shelter, Page Smith Community House, and the Paul Lee Loft?  
  • Will any City Council member be demanding these figures from the City Manager?
  • How many have been tested for COVID-19? 
  • How many are sick? 
  • How many have recovered? 
  • Where’s the FEMA and Governor’s funding specifically for those motel rooms?   
  • How much longer will city and county bosses withhold the $$.
  • How many motel rooms are being currently occupied? 
  • How many kept empty while the virus spreads?
  • What is the timetable for occupying the vacant but “reserved” rooms?
  • What are the priorities–are the most vulnerable but not yet ill or COVID-19 infected–to be last while waiting for the sickness to hit?
  • Still fenced off and vacant:  pseudo-triage centers around town (such as Lot 17 near the sports stadium), the parking lot next to the Calvary Episcopal (Red) Church, the area adjacent to Depot Park, the parking lot next to University Copy on Front St., and other such “holding pen” areas, an area in San Lorenzo park.  Why?  To deter homeless people from setting up survival tents as was the case around the Town Clock and next to the Post Office?
  • Metro and Park Bathrooms Still Closed?:  Even during the day?   With so many people sleeping in San Lorenzo Park?   Some portapotties and washing stations are reportedly insufficiently cleaned and often lack water, toilet paper, and paper towels.   The only disability portapotty in the City that I’ve seen is along the San Lorenzo park path next to the back of the County Building, open only 4-5 hours a day as a convenience for those dumped from the Laurel St. cram-em-in shelter program.   The last time a disabled portapotty was publicly available was at Camp Phoenix last November, when it was paid for by FNB and the Santa Cruz Homeless Union before being hauled away by the police under a hastily fabricated “trespass” complaint.  HUFF IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO DO A DAILY CHECK AND REPORT IN ON THE VARIOUS PORTAPOTTIES AND PRIMITIVE GARAGE BATHROOMS (often lacking privacy) throughout the City.. We checked a few during the Tour of Shame last Sunday, but need to do so more thoroughly and regularly.
  • Rent strike reports?: FNB reports folks reporting illegal evictions continue.  And vacant buildings remain vacant as the virus spreads.   Contact Tenant Sanctuary with reports of illegal evictions at (831)200-0740 .
  • HUFF MAY BE ORGANIZING BY PHONE to support the demand for Motel rooms before the only option  is quarantine areas.  CONTACT US AT 831-423-4833 OR RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP OR WANT TO PROVIDE REPORTS.
  • Street Spirit newspaper distribution operations are currently suspended, but the Berkeley vendor center is still reportedly  looking for ways to provide some interim support for vendors whose sales lifeline has been cut off.  No word yet.
  • Frequent local updates can still be found on Facebook under Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs, Santa Cruz County Homeless Advocates, Homeless Outside in Santa Cruz, SCCCP (Santa Cruz and Central Coast Politics), Monterey County Homeless Advocates, The Santa Cruz Community, (SF) Coalition on Homelessness.  More distant updates:  homelesstimes.com and http://homelessperspective.com

Protest Tomorrow Monday April 20th NOON at 1505 Ocean (in front of the hotel next to Denny’s)

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While other counties have been using federal and state funding to house vulnerable homeless people, Santa Cruz has not–in any appreciable numbers. While the broader community is directed to shelter in place and not gather in groups larger than 10, homeless “shelters” unsafely cram folks into one or two rooms. I asked specific questions and got unsatisfactory answers.
On Friday April 10th, after a massive outbreak of COVID-19 in two San Francisco shelters, health professionals held a Press Conference demanding motel/hotel shelters immediately:
https://www.facebook.com/CoalitionOnHomelessness/videos/2954977444559143/

On Friday April 17th, I e-mailed a letter to city officials and health workers including Mayor Cummings and City Manager Bernal asking a series of questions.

On Saturday April 18th, Mayor Cummings responded by forwarding me the city latest “update” which answered almost none of the questions and indicated no intention of stepping up any attempt to house even the more vulnerable homeless people in any numbers.

I followed up with a letter urging more information. (reprinted below)

On Saturday April 18th, Governor Newsom called on all counties not using the FEMA and roomkey funding to do so immediately: https://www.facebook.com/fox5sandiego/videos/533233420715199/ See also https://calmatters.org/health/coronavirus/2020/04/newsom-cities-blocking-hotels-for-homeless-will-be-judged-by-history

I’ve done several netshows (4-12, 4-16, and 4-19) on the subject, which can be found at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html .

Today Alicia Kuhl of the Santa Cruz Homeless Union and Keith McHenry of Food Not Bombs announced a Physical Distancing Picket noon tomorrow 4-20 outside the Hampton Inn next to Denny’s at 1505 Ocean St to demand the City and County authorities follow the CDC/Newsom guidelines. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10158028273318820&set=gm.229151128428242&type=3&theater

The HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) members I’ve contacted support this protest. I and others will be there.

TO READ THE DOCUMENTATION AND COMMENTS GO TO https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2020/04/19/18832493.php

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides streams today (4-19-20) at freakradio.org Flashback to PeaceCamp2010 Cummings Ducks COVID questions; Interviews with Peter Marin, FNB’s Survivalists, Brent Adams, Newsom’s Vanishing Hotel Rooms 9-27-99 Flashback

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Today’s show streams at freakradio.org and archives at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

ON TODAY’S SHOW:

***  Deconstructing the City and County Latest Reassurances as They Fail to Provide Protective Hotel Rooms

***  “Mad as Hell” Peter Marin Attacks Santa Barbara’s Do-Nothing Bureaucracy

***  Voices from the Food Not Bombs Chow Line: Earl, Hector, Trish, John, Crystal, Wes, Dreamcatcher, Viper

***  Balm for the Bad Bureaucrats from Footbridge Services provider Brent Adams

***  Gov. Newsom Praises Other Counties for Using his Hotel Funding & Urging the non-Complying to Do So  https://www.facebook.com/fox5sandiego/videos/533233420715199/

***  April 14 and 17th Reports from Katzenjammer Keith McHenry

FLASHBACK TO 9-27-99

  • Travelers and Beachsleepers Erica, Brenden, & Others on the SC “ticketing” welcome
  • Courtdogger Joel Kappa co-hosts and reviews Jury Nullification and Judicial Corruption in S.C.
  • “Loudheart” Lucy Kemnitzer of the 1999 Homeless Issues Task Force on Brutal Attacks against the Homeless and her Son
  • Councilmember Tim Fitzmaurice Defends SCPD Overruns
  • “Scope it Out” Scott Graham Reviews City Council’s Rules and Those Who Rebel Against Them

The City’s Recent “No Hotel Rooms for the Vulnerable” COVID-19 Non-Solutions soon to be posted on indybay.org/santacruz and available on the HUFF blog at huffsantacruz.org . 
Most Recent Archived Overflow Interviews at

http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

Recent Past Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/wordpress/Many Earlier Shows are Described at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/brb-descriptions.html
Earliest Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/archivemain.html

Act Locally or Regret Later

  • Join the Food Not Bombs [FNB], Santa Cruz Homeless Union, HUFF, Community Center at the Benchlands–struggling for volunteers–daily food service 1 PM and 4 PM daily now at Laurel & Front parking lot
  • Call City Hall (420-5020) and the Board of Supervisors (454-2200) or Rattle the Windows of these Toxic Pretenders where They Live to demand Immediate Motel Vouchers (indoor shelter) for the entire homeless population during the crisis so they can shelter-in-place as recommended by the CDC.
  • Insist that City Manager Bernal and Chief Mills stop the sweeps of homeless encampments–violating the CDC directive.
  • Prepare for peaceful Direct Action to enact this health measure if City Manager Bernal, Mayor Cummings, and Chief Mills continue to Stall.
  • Contact Bathrobespierre Robert for final word on what form if any the weekly Wednesday HUFF meeting will take (normally 4-15).
  • Demand “Bad News” Bernal Order His Cops to Stand off and Allow Homeless Activists to Reopen Camp Phoenix, remain where they are without molestation (stop the sweeps!), and/or allow for self-run triage zones now that Governor Newsom has declared that area surplus space to be designated for homeless use.
  • Denounce the latest cosmetic “See, We Have Shelter” lie with the pathetic and all-in-the-same-room response of the Vet’s Hall, the Armory, and Laurel St instead of the needed and promised motel rooms.  These need to be provided BEFORE symptoms develop, BEFORE testing, TARGETING the most vulnerable but providing for all during the crisis.
  • Demand immediate transfer of money to shelter the many rather than provide an illusion by unsafely sheltering a few, while really providing protective cover to the City Council and Board of Supervisors for essentially doing nothing for the great majority and allowing Mills’ police-and-rangers to threaten campsites with seizure and arrest at will as police are the only large gang allowed to publicly assemble.
  • Contact Chief Mills at amills@cityofsantacruz.com  to demand fundamental changes such as that seized survival gear be available for reclaiming during regular business hours, not just 6 hours as week.  See https://www.indybay.org/uploads/2019/12/18/police_protest_flyer_12-18-19.pdf
  • Hold accountable City Hall NIMBY enablers at all public meetings:  Former Mayor Martine Watkins, New Mayor Justin Cummings, City Manager-for-Life Martin Bernal, His Wrecking Crew of Abuse Enablers Susie O’Hara and Megan Bunch, Police Chief Andy Mills, & City Attorney Tony Condotti  for Inciting the Ross Camp Destruction,  Subsequent Deaths, & the Friday Nov 15th Demolition of Camp Phoenix (the renewed Deseire Memorial Survival Encampment in back of Ross) with a campaign of lies to the community regarding “adequate shelter options”.
  • Support the (hopefully) forthcoming lawsuit by the Union of the Homeless demanding real and not token shelter protection for the 1000+ outside–demanding action now lest hospital facilities be overwhelmed as the virus spreads.
  • Remember Deseire Quintero–Killed by City Indifference, Negligence, and Malice in Closing the First Ross Camp Without Any Adequate Shelter!  Support Survival Campgrounds, Empty Building Takeovers This Plague Season Wherever They Happen.  Provide them with supplies.
  • Take peaceful action to open up buildings for Emergency Shelter as well as an end to harassment citation of folks surviving outside under “trespass on public property”, “closed area”, “public nuisance” and “blocking the sidewalk” pretexts;
  • Witness, oppose, and document police and ranger harassment using “closed areas”, “blocking the sidewalk”, “public nuisance”, “public trespass”, and “illegal lodging” to get around the Boise v. Martin “No shelter? No tickets!” decision.
  • Demand City Manager “Mangler” Martin Bernal and SCPD Police Chief  “Ambushmaster” Andy Mills account for their destruction of Camp Phoenix ignoring City Council’s required Standard Operating Procedures for closing encampments and violating their own admission that “trespass” could not be properly applied to the survival sleepers.  Remember the bad history so it’s not repeated!

·  Contact Kuhl of the Homeless Union to find more direct and effective ways to support the next shelter-in-place encampments  throughout the City starved of food and survival gear at 831-431-7766.   DONATE SURVIVAL GEAR  & VOLUNTEER DURING THE CRISIS EVERY DAY AT FOOD NOT BOMBS Laurel & Front St. MEAL.

·  Document Homeless Discrimination & Sign Up for Direct Action to “Open the Bathrooms Now!” Action by contacting the SC Union, HUFF,  Conscience & Action, or the Give-A-Shit Campaign

·  Provide Direct Support to Survival Camps & Squats as City Council Ignores the Emergency; Skip the Poverty Pimp Entrepreneurs to give directly to Food Not Bombs, the Felker St. Footbridge Services, the SC Homeless Union and other real providers.

·  Post Your Documentation of Police and Ranger “Move Along” Mischief or Pass it on to BadAss Mama at 831-431-7766

·  Donate to Existing Homeless Encampments, NOT Poverty-Pimp Posturers– Survival Demands Blankets, Water, Tarps, Portapotties & Trash Pick-Up’s–and Deter Police Harassment by being On Call to Document It.

·  Additional Needs for Community Samaritans!–More Needs: Potable Water for Drinking, Laundry Access so Clothes Don’t Mildew, and More Space in Additional Spots, Monitor and Expose Cop Crackdowns

·  Support Food Not Bombs,  the Warming Center’s Day/Night Storage Program, HUFF, Conscience and Action,Santa Cruz Union of the Homeless by documenting, providing resources, & publicizing the situation.

  •  Check out The Santa Cruz Community, Santa Cruz Homeless Advocates & Homeless Outside in Santa Cruz, Monterey County Homeless Advocates, SNAIL, HEART Disabled Homeless People,  Power Surge Tenants Rights, Bay Area Landless People’s Alliance, and more on Facebook..then go out and do something!
  •   Read Updates and Post Them on Santa Cruz Indymedia at https://www.indybay.org/santa-cruz/
  •   Exchange information with other supporters there to generate more communication and better solutions in the future.
  •   Listen in to Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides at freakradio.org Thursdays 6-8 PM, Sundays 9:30 AM- 3 PM
  •   Hear archived shows at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html .  Call in with street reports and commentary: 831-335-4844
  •   If you must, expropriate items from corporate & chain stores.  Don’t steal from vulnerable fellow homeless or local businesses!

STILL OFFERING A REWARD IF ANYONE FINDS US A STUDIO SITE!     EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY AND YOURSELF BY HELPING US OUT !

IT’S A FLAT FAT $300 IF YOU FIND US A STUDIO SPACE WE CAN RENT FOR A YEAR AND WE’D STILL APPRECIATE TIPS TOWARDS A TRANSMITTER SITE LOCATION !

PHONE IN UPDATES AT 831-423-4833 OR MAIL THEM TO RNORSE3@HOTMAIL.COM

REMINDER:   Free Radio Santa Cruz stands ready to dole out $300 for info leading to a 10′ X 10′ studio space with bathroom, internet, and electrical access–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure).  We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.   Help us so we can help you!

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides netcast streams tonight 4-16-20 at 6 PM at freakradio.org: Terribly Tiny Tour of Shame Bits and Blurbs; Unofficial Updates from the Vets Hall Shelter

Posted on by

Check out the show at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html . 

New postings and interviews from the last few days at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html



ON TODAY’S SHOW

xxx Notes on Developing Shelter from Murmuring Mel
xxx Are Motel Rooms a Priority?: An Exchange With Bike-Around Brent; Restroom Report from “Grok-the-Grit” Gloria
xxx  “Take Me to a Toilet” Thomas on the Changing AFC Shelter Facility
xxx  Vet’s Hall Research: Anonymous Monitor and Ryan
xxx  Randal, James, Mitchel, and Jaya at the Benchlands
xxx “Roadside” Rafa on the View from the Vet’s Hall



TAKE OUR MONEY, PLEASE !   
STUDIO SITE REWARD STILL AVAILABLE !


Free Radio Santa Cruz stands ready to dole out $300 for info leading to a 10′ X 10′ studio space with bathroom, internet, and electrical access–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure).  We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.   Help us so we can help you!

HUFF outreach: Want to do a Conference Call today or tomorrow? Support SC Homeless Coalition & FNB joint activist effort as City “leaders” promise in-place shelter but provide none for those outside. NO Noon Meeting Today

Posted on by

The April 12 on-line Council ratification of City Mangler Martin Bernal’s proposals included nothing specific regarding those outside, other than “police discretion” not to ticket those in parks and sheltering-in-place, but no response to reports that police have been denying access to homeless gear and ticketing some homeless folks trying to reach their campsites in the parks and/or beaches. 

Though the park/beach ban supposedly lifts at midnight tonight, police “discretionary” power to ignore CDC guidelines is dangerous to the public physical health as well as to all our civil liberties.

The quarantine fenced off areas around downtown (the so-called triage centers about which have not been much discussion) may serve as pens once the first cases of COVID-19 at the crowded shelters here become impossible to conceal or ignore.
  SF Coalition on Homelessness panel of medical experts demands testing now, and immediate movement of crowded shelter residents into individual motel rooms.  Hear/see the press conference & discussion at https://www.facebook.com/CoalitionOnHomelessness/videos/2954977444559143/?

Los Angeles has a bit of bright news which Santa Cruz activists should loudly echo: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/judge-says-la-cant-throw-away-large-items-belonging-to-homeless/2346160/?

Food Not Bombs [FNB] meal and clothes distribution is now daily 1-6 PM at the parking lot next to the Santa Cruz Community Credit Union at Laurel & Front.  Weekends the meal will be at 4 PM.

McHenry calls for food preppers and servers to help at the Vet’s Hall at noon today and in the days to come. 

No Motel vouchers have reportedly been given out by the City and County though the Sentinel announced in today’s print edition (yesterday on line) that Kramer’s “Housing Tidbits” Coral St. program is providing a few no-bathroom separate modular shelters..     As the virus spreads. 

My public questions to the City Council and City Manager at yesterday’s on-line City Council meeting during Oral Communications went unanswered:

  • How many of those crammed into unhealthy shelters have been offered the option of motel rooms rather than the dangerous conditions in the Vet’s Hall, the Armory, the Laurel St. shelter, Page Smith Community House, and the Paul Lee Loft?  
  • Will any City Council member be demanding these figures from the City Manager?
  • How many have been tested for COVID-19? 
  • How many are sick? 
  • How many have recovered? 
  • Where’s the FEMA and Governor’s funding specifically for those motel rooms?   
  • How much longer will city and county bosses withhold the $$.
  • How many motel rooms are being currently occupied? 
  • How many kept empty while the virus spreads?
  • What is the timetable for occupying the vacant but “reserved” rooms?
  • What are the priorities–are the most vulnerable but not yet ill or COVID-19 infected–to be last while waiting for the sickness to hit?

Meanwhile fenced off pseudo-triage centers around town (such as Lot 17 near the sports stadium), the parking lot next to the Calvary Episcopal (Red) Church, the area adjacent to Depot Park, the parking lot next to University Copy on Front St., and other such “holding pen” areas remain closed. 

Portapotties and washing stations are reportedly insufficiently cleaned and often water, toilet paper, and paper towels.   The only disability portapotty in the City that I’ve seen is along the San Lorenzo park path next to the back of the County Building, open only 4-5 hours a day as a convenience for those dumped from the Laurel St. cram-em-in shelter program.   The last time a disabled portapotty was publicly available was at Camp Phoenix last November, when it was paid for by FNB and the Santa Cruz Homeless Union before being hauled away by the police under a hastily fabricated “trespass” complaint.  HUFF IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO DO A DAILY CHECK AND REPORT IN ON THE VARIOUS PORTAPOTTIES AND PRIMITIVE GARAGE BATHROOMS (often lacking privacy) throughout the City.. We checked a few during the Tour of Shame last Sunday, but need to do so more thoroughly and regularly.

Any reports on folks doing rent strikes locally?  McHenry reports folks are reporting illegal evictions continue.
HUFF MAY BE ORGANIZING BY PHONE TO PREPARE POSSIBLE PROTESTS DEMANDING IMMEDIATE FACILITY ACCESS (i.e. Motel rooms) before the only option  is quarantine areas.  CONTACT US AT 831-423-4833 OR RESPOND TO THIS E-MAIL IF YOU’D LIKE TO HELP OR WANT TO PROVIDE REPORTS.
WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING WAYS TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT SAFE PROTESTS BY RENTERS, EMERGENCY WORKERS DEMANDING DECENT WORKING CONDITIONS, &, OF COURSE, FOLKS OUTSIDE DEMANDING BASIC HEALTH/HOUSING OPTIONS.  SUCH AS BY CAR PROTESTS AS IS BEING DONE IN OTHER CITIES. 

Street Spirit newspaper distribution operations are currently suspended, but the Berkeley vendor center is still reportedly  looking for ways to provide some interim support for vendors whose sales lifeline has been cut off.  When HUFF hears, we’ll let the few vendors we have down here know.  No word yet.

Frequent local updates can be found on Facebook under Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs, Santa Cruz County Homeless Advocates, Homeless Outside in Santa Cruz, SCCCP (Santa Cruz and Central Coast Politics), Monterey County Homeless Advocates, The Santa Cruz Community, (SF) Coalition on Homelessness.  See also homelesstimes.com



ACTIONS, RESOURCES, & CONSIDERATIONS from a HUFFster’s perspective

  • Check at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html to hear a series of phoned-in reports from different activists and workers–which should be posted shortly and may be updated more frequently.
  •  City Manager Martin Bernal provided a handful of portapotties  City-wide and cold water washstands after refusing to do so for months, but maintained nighttime closure of bathrooms in parks in spite of the emergency situation and repeated calls and e-mails.   Nor has the County acted to provide basic sanitary facilities for the poorest outside, though it has financial and organization resources to do so.
  • City agencies have thwarted or denied Food Not Bombs, the Depot Project, Bagels on Bikes, HUFF, and other organizations their attempts to establish such vital resources.
  • Recent shutdowns at the Library, Louden Nelson, the Metro, the publicly sponsored Bookshop Santa Cruz, closed restaurants and businesses make this situation ever more dangerous both for folks outside and the broader community.
  • Very very few motel or hotel rooms are yet available for the 1000-2000 homeless outside who want and may need them to shelter more safely and securely in spite of government directives and financial grants. 
  • The inadequate “normal” charitable activities of those working with churches, social services, etc. have been cut back or closed–many of the staff of these organizations are over 60 and particularly vulnerable to the corona virus.
  • Normal donations to those directly seeking survival money through “panhandling” have been discouraged or criminalized under the new emergency regs, enacted without public discussion or vote.
  • Public transportation options have been restricted or shut down, making access to what limited resources there are even more problematic.
  • Mayor Cummings has issued no calls for an emergency Council meeting to pass elementary measures already done in other cities like a moratorium on evictions and rents. 
  • City Manager Martin Bernal & the City Council majority have a long history of resisting the expansion of basic services for the less privileged in town.
  • Supervisor Coonerty and the Board of Supervisors have declined to provide county-wide resources in an equitable and sensible fashion.
  • The health of the community depends on our community action through a direct and united response.
  • Up to now we have seen how “concerned” and “effective” local authorities have been in meeting the needs of renters and those outside.
  • Meekly following the dictates of authority in this crisis has not in the past, nor likely in the future, to be a wise, health-providing, and productive course.
  • We must confront directly, clearly, persistently, loudly and immediately to secure the basic survival needs of the community in the current crisis.
  • With washed hands and care to keep physical distance, bring food and yourselves to the noon food serving to sustain the survival effort and take the necessary future steps.
  • Contact Food Not Bombs (575-770-3377), HUFF (831-423-4833), or the Santa Cruz Homeless Union (831-431-7766) if unable to come for health or other reasons. (454-2200) and you wish to help.

Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides streams today (4-12-20) at freakradio.org Special: SF Healthcare workers Demand Immediate Motel Rooms in Wake of the Latest Homeless COVID-19 Outbreak; Local Interviews Galore; Flashback to PeaceCamp2010 August 12, 2010

Posted on by

Today’s show streams at freakradio.org and archives at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

ON TODAY’S SHOW:
​   

***  San Francisco Health Workers and Shelteristas Blow the Whistle: Move Vulnerable to Hotels Or Else!  
https://www.facebook.com/CoalitionOnHomelessness/videos/2954977444559143/

***  Under the Parking Garage on 4-5-2020 with Food Not Bombs and Aurora, Tom, Heather, Bob, Joseph, QZ, & Julio

***  Rover reports from the Shadows and the Forests: Living Outside in a Time of Pandemic

***  Mayor Cummings Ignores the Shelter COVID-19 Threat in His Latest “Report”

***  “Katzenjammer” Keith’s Easter Day Celebration, Update, and Resource Distribution Today

***  Marysville Report from Bryan Brown and Raelyn Butcher

***  Rumbles and Ripples from Rafa Sonnenfeld

***  Earlier Updates from Keith and the Food Not Bombs Struggle to Share Food

FLASHBACK TO 8-12-2010

  • Interviews at PeaceCamp 2010’s New Location with P.J., Crow, Red, Curbhugger Chris, Norse, & Lighthouse Linda Lemaster.
  • Deconstructing Councilmember Katherine Beiers (back in 2010 when she was on the Council)–Gloomy Intimations of Her Likely Positions in 2020
  • Beginning of the Courtroom Journey of Lighthouse Linda Lemaster

Most Recent Archived Overflow Interviews at

http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html  

Recent Past Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/wordpress/Many Earlier Shows are Described at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/brb-descriptions.html
Earliest Shows are Described at http://huffsantacruz.org/archivemain.html

Act Locally or Regret Later

  • Join the Food Not Bombs [FNB], Santa Cruz Homeless Union, HUFF, Community Center at the Benchlands–struggling for volunteers–daily food service 1 PM and 4 PM daily now at Laurel & Front parking lot
  • Alicia Kuhl, President of the Union of the Homeless plans a survival gear distribution today 4 PM at FNB.
  • Call City Hall (420-5020) and the Board of Supervisors (454-2200) or Rattle the Windows of these Toxic Pretenders where They Live to demand Immediate Motel Vouchers (indoor shelter) for the entire homeless population during the crisis so they can shelter-in-place as recommended by the CDC.
  • Insist that City Manager Bernal and Chief Mills stop the sweeps of homeless encampments–violating the CDC directive.
  • Prepare for peaceful Direct Action to enact this health measure if City Manager Bernal, Mayor Cummings, and Chief Mills continue to Stall.
  • Contact Bathrobespierre Robert for final word on what form if any the weekly Wednesday HUFF meeting will take (normally 4-15).
  • Demand “Bad News” Bernal Order His Cops to Stand off and Allow Homeless Activists to Reopen Camp Phoenix, remain where they are without molestation (stop the sweeps!), and/or allow for self-run triage zones now that Governor Newsom has declared that area surplus space to be designated for homeless use.
  • Denounce the latest cosmetic “See, We Have Shelter” lie with the pathetic and all-in-the-same-room response of the Vet’s Hall, the Armory, and Laurel St instead of the needed and promised motel rooms.  These need to be provided BEFORE symptoms develop, BEFORE testing, TARGETING the most vulnerable but providing for all during the crisis.
  • Demand immediate transfer of money to shelter the many rather than provide an illusion by unsafely sheltering a few, while really providing protective cover to the City Council and Board of Supervisors for essentially doing nothing for the great majority and allowing Mills’ police-and-rangers to threaten campsites with seizure and arrest at will as police are the only large gang allowed to publicly assemble.
  • Contact Chief Mills at amills@cityofsantacruz.com  to demand fundamental changes such as that seized survival gear be available for reclaiming during regular business hours, not just 6 hours as week.  See https://www.indybay.org/uploads/2019/12/18/police_protest_flyer_12-18-19.pdf
  • Hold accountable City Hall NIMBY enablers at all public meetings:  Former Mayor Martine Watkins, New Mayor Justin Cummings, City Manager-for-Life Martin Bernal, His Wrecking Crew of Abuse Enablers Susie O’Hara and Megan Bunch, Police Chief Andy Mills, & City Attorney Tony Condotti  for Inciting the Ross Camp Destruction,  Subsequent Deaths, & the Friday Nov 15th Demolition of Camp Phoenix (the renewed Deseire Memorial Survival Encampment in back of Ross) with a campaign of lies to the community regarding “adequate shelter options”.
  • Support the (hopefully) forthcoming lawsuit by the Union of the Homeless demanding real and not token shelter protection for the 1000+ outside–demanding action now lest hospital facilities be overwhelmed as the virus spreads.
  • Remember Deseire Quintero–Killed by City Indifference, Negligence, and Malice in Closing the First Ross Camp Without Any Adequate Shelter!  Support Survival Campgrounds, Empty Building Takeovers This Plague Season Wherever They Happen.  Provide them with supplies.
  • Take peaceful action to open up buildings for Emergency Shelter as well as an end to harassment citation of folks surviving outside under “trespass on public property”, “closed area”, “public nuisance” and “blocking the sidewalk” pretexts;
  • Witness, oppose, and document police and ranger harassment using “closed areas”, “blocking the sidewalk”, “public nuisance”, “public trespass”, and “illegal lodging” to get around the Boise v. Martin “No shelter? No tickets!” decision.
  • Demand City Manager “Mangler” Martin Bernal and SCPD Police Chief  “Ambushmaster” Andy Mills account for their destruction of Camp Phoenix ignoring City Council’s required Standard Operating Procedures for closing encampments and violating their own admission that “trespass” could not be properly applied to the survival sleepers.  Remember the bad history so it’s not repeated!

·  Contact Kuhl of the Homeless Union to find more direct and effective ways to support the next shelter-in-place encampments  throughout the City starved of food and survival gear at 831-431-7766.   DONATE SURVIVAL GEAR  & VOLUNTEER DURING THE CRISIS EVERY DAY AT FOOD NOT BOMBS Laurel & Front St. MEAL.

·  Document Homeless Discrimination & Sign Up for Direct Action to “Open the Bathrooms Now!” Action by contacting the SC Union, HUFF,  Conscience & Action, or the Give-A-Shit Campaign

·  Provide Direct Support to Survival Camps & Squats as City Council Ignores the Emergency; Skip the Poverty Pimp Entrepreneurs to give directly to Food Not Bombs, the Felker St. Footbridge Services, the SC Homeless Union and other real providers.

·  Post Your Documentation of Police and Ranger “Move Along” Mischief or Pass it on to BadAss Mama at 831-431-7766

·  Donate to Existing Homeless Encampments, NOT Poverty-Pimp Posturers– Survival Demands Blankets, Water, Tarps, Portapotties & Trash Pick-Up’s–and Deter Police Harassment by being On Call to Document It.

·  Additional Needs for Community Samaritans!–More Needs: Potable Water for Drinking, Laundry Access so Clothes Don’t Mildew, and More Space in Additional Spots, Monitor and Expose Cop Crackdowns

·  Support Food Not Bombs,  the Warming Center’s Day/Night Storage Program, HUFF, Conscience and Action,Santa Cruz Union of the Homeless by documenting, providing resources, & publicizing the situation.

  •  Check out The Santa Cruz Community, Santa Cruz Homeless Advocates & Homeless Outside in Santa Cruz, Monterey County Homeless Advocates, SNAIL, HEART Disabled Homeless People,  Power Surge Tenants Rights, Bay Area Landless People’s Alliance, and more on Facebook..then go out and do something!
  •   Read Updates and Post Them on Santa Cruz Indymedia at https://www.indybay.org/santa-cruz/
  •   Exchange information with other supporters there to generate more communication and better solutions in the future.
  •   Listen in to Bathrobespierre’s Broadsides at freakradio.org Thursdays 6-8 PM, Sundays 9:30 AM- 3 PM
  •   Hear archived shows at http://www.huffsantacruz.org/Lostshows.html .  Call in with street reports and commentary: 831-335-4844
  •   If you must, expropriate items from corporate & chain stores.  Don’t steal from vulnerable fellow homeless or local businesses!

STILL OFFERING A REWARD IF ANYONE FINDS US A STUDIO SITE!     EMPOWER THE COMMUNITY AND YOURSELF BY HELPING US OUT !

IT’S A FLAT FAT $300 IF YOU FIND US A STUDIO SPACE WE CAN RENT FOR A YEAR

AND WE’D STILL APPRECIATE TIPS TOWARDS A TRANSMITTER SITE LOCATION !

PHONE IN UPDATES AT 831-423-4833 OR MAIL THEM TO RNORSE3@HOTMAIL.COM

Free Radio Santa Cruz stands ready to dole out $300 for info leading to a 10′ X 10′ studio space with bathroom, internet, and

electrical access–either indoors or out (we’ll build a structure).  We’re also seeking a transmitter space where we can put up an

antenna–a backyard, a multistory home, a high tree–help us spread the word.   Help us so we can help you!