Title: | No Council Meet But Freedom Sleepers Gather for SleepOut #11 |
START DATE: | Tuesday September 22 |
TIME: | 5:00 PM – 5:00 AM |
Location Details: | |
In the City Hall Courtyard as long as folks choose, and then on the sidewalks nearby. The event is scheduled to go on until 7:30 AM or 8 AM Wednesday 9-23. | |
Event Type: | Protest |
Contact Name | Phil Posner (posting by Norse) |
Email Address | chatrabbi [at] aol.com |
Phone Number | |
Address | |
OBJECTIVE; TO END LAWS MAKING HOMELESS SLEEP A CRIME The Freedom Sleepers is a Coalition of organizations including Food Not Bombs, Homeless Depot, the Homeless Legal Assistance Project, HUFF, and Housing Now! in Santa Cruz. We want to end the Sleeping Ban, Camping Ban, Blanket Ban, Lodging Ban–and other laws that make survival camping a crime in Santa Cruz. Instead of citing and arresting people under MC 6.36 (the Camping Ordinance), police have been using the Closed Areas ordinance, which allows city authorities to designate large areas as “forbidden to enter” at night. One of these areas is the City Hall courtyard, a large grassy area in front of City Hall, the seat of government in Santa Cruz. However in other parts of Santa Cruz in the last three months, police and rangers have issued nearly 1000 Sleeping Ban tickets, costing $157 each. There is no emergency shelter program operating; waiting lists for transitional programs are full; and social services for such essentials as food, showers, laundry, and bathrooms have been eliminated for the general homeless population at the Homeless (Lack of) Services Center. COUNTERING VIOLENCE BY FIRST ALARM SECURITY See “Sleepout protest fighting Santa Cruz anti-camping ordinance moves into tenth week” at http://www.indybay.org/ “First Alarm Security Guards Violently Detain Woman at Santa Cruz City Hall” at http://www.indybay.org/ “2 Harassment Arrests, 2 “Standing in a Parking Spot” Cites at Freedom Sleepers Protest #10″ at http://www.indybay.org/ PRESS CONFERENCE 9-24 5:45 PM IN FRONT OF RIO THEATER In response, we will be inviting the media to hear accounts of police abuse by homeless folks and housed activists. The conference will feature homeless speakers and Rabbi Phil Posner as well as others impacted by the new crackdown. SLEEPOUT WILL PROVIDE PB&J, PORTAPOTTY, AND PALS City Council has cancelled its regular second 4th Tuesday of the month meeting in deference to a Jewish holiday, but declines to suspend nightly harassment of homeless refugees outside who have no place to sleep (and are often hassled during the day for being visibly present in public spaces). THE VANCOUVER, WA BREAKTHROUGH EVERYONE INVITED: DO YOUR PART ! WITNESSES ARE ESPECIALLY WELCOME…between 9:30 PM and midnight, when police regularly descend with ticke books and handcuffs. Bring a sleeping bag, a blanket, some food, video and audio equipment, and some friends. We need your help. The conscience of the City requires it. |