Category Archives: HUFF meetings

More HUFF Hibernation… NO MEETING TODAY (10-25) Next regularly scheduled meeting 11 AM 11-1-17 Wednesday at the Sub Rosa Cafe

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The usual Sub Rosa Cafe 11 AM meeting today (Wednesday October 24) is cancelled..   HUFF has gone onto a bi-weekly schedule with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday November 1st. at 703 Pacific.   This decision was made to accommodate Monterey County activists currently fighting the Lapis Road Residential Vehicle Homeowner Struggle who have to come a longer distance as well as acknowledge the dwindling number of local HUFFsters attending weekly.

On KZSC’s Talkabout show Wednesday 10-25  7:45 PM , Bathrobespierre Robert talks about the latest SCPD gambit with Chief Mill’s “no tickets 9 PM to 6 AM unless there is a complaint by someone in control of that property or some other crime or nuisance behavior is taking place.”

Updates tomorrow Thursday 10-26 6:30 PM at 101.3 FM (also freakradio.org) on the 6-8 PM Bathrobepierre’s Broadsides show regarding the Poor Tour/First They Came for the Homeless encampment in Berkeley, and Tuesday doings around the Rent Control organizing, the visit of Bandelero Bob Aronson (S.C. Police “Auditor”), and the “no protests, please!”  S.C. Coalition on Homelessness–if we can get ’em.

If anyone went to the Tuesday gatherings, please contact me at 423-4833 for updates.  Personal health problems, unseasonable heat, and transportation problems kept me away.

See SCPD Chief Mills and mainstream media statements are available at http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/social-affairs/20171016/santa-cruz-police-chief-displaces-homeless-by-post-office-softens-sleeping-ban and http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/20171014/andrew-g-mills-homeless-problem-demands-action-and-scpd-is-acting

Also please report conditions in San Lorenzo Park, around the Post Office, and along the Coral St. sidewalk where numerous nightly encampments have grown.

The supposed “liberal” Mills policy means little if police and rangers are ticketing sleepers for “other crimes” on public property such as being in a park after dark, smoking, blocking the sidewalk, lodging, trespass, etc.

We have few if any reports of police and ranger use of the newly expanded Stay-Away law.  Its selective enforcement powers  are described at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/09/12/18802845.php (“Stacked Deck Stay-Away Law Expansion Promises More Pain for Poor Outside“)   The SCPD has readied Public Records that document the use of this abusive process for the last 9 months as has Parks and Recreation–after much prompting.   Help HUFF document this wretched recordto uncover the obvious pattern of enforcement which largely impacts houseless people.

You can also help fight the Stay-Away orders as they are individually levied on homeless folks contact Food Not Bombs  or HUFF  (numbers below).  Let these folks know if you or anyone you know has recently been given a Stay-Away order along with an Infraction ticket, particularly if it’s for longer than 24 hours (or 72 hours after October 12th when the new expanded law goes into effect).

If meetings aren’t your thing, but you  wish to work on Public Records, Help compile accounts of Police/Ranger abuses and/or Assist in getting interviews for Free Radio broadcasts or You-Tube Postings, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.

Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday & Sunday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  Contact them at 575-770-3377.

Or go on line to the facebook page of Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs.   FNB activists fear an upsurge of pressure against the downtown meals near the post office as follow up to the “coaxed removal” of the homeless encampment there.   Sign up to support their Emergency Response Network by contacting them through Facebook or in person at the Saturday and Sunday meals.  The idea is to quickly gather in numbers if city authorities attempt to shut down the meal.

 

HUFF settles into slumber: NO MEETING TODAY (10-18) Next regularly scheduled meeting 11 AM 11-1-17 ? Wednesday at the Sub Rosa Cafe

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The usual Sub Rosa Cafe 11 AM meeting today (Wednesday October 11) is cancelled, as is next week’s.   HUFF has gone onto a bi-weekly schedule with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday November 1st. at 703 Pacific.   This decision was made to accommodate Monterey County activists currently fighting the Lapis Road Residential Vehicle Homeowner Struggle.    Tune in for Lapis Road updates tomorrow 6:30 PM at 101.3 FM (also freakradio.org) on the 6-8 PM Bathrobepierre’s Broadsides show.

Portland, OR is reportedly moving incrementally out of the Middle Ages by allow limited RV survival sleeping–IF folks can find a private property owner willing–always the problem. Check out

http://www.wweek.com/news/2017/10/15/portland-will-allow-overnight-rv-camping-and-tiny-homes-on-private-property/

Also up for analysis, discussion, and critiquing will be the latest actions of SCPD Chief Andy Mills and his no Camping tickets 9 PM-6 AM “unless there is a complaint by someone in control of that property or some other crime or nuisance behavior is taking place.”

See latest Mills and mainstream media statements at http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/social-affairs/20171016/santa-cruz-police-chief-displaces-homeless-by-post-office-softens-sleeping-ban and http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/20171014/andrew-g-mills-homeless-problem-demands-action-and-scpd-is-acting

There is some commentary on-line in the generally reactionary Disqis section of the two articles above as well as at http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/20171016/letter-not-all-property-owners-can-make-a-complaint .

“Trollbuster” (i.e. anti-homeless abuser) sentiment is being mouthed freely on line and may be a precursor to violent actions.  Please report any problems at 423-4833 (the HUFF line).

Politician and polemicist Steve Pleich gives a partial update on the upsurge of anti-homeless laws and policies in Santa Cruz spearheaded by City Manager Martin Bernal at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/10/15/18803631.php (“Community Remains in the “Shadow of Bell v. Boise”.  His local ACLU (where Steve is vice-Chair), however, rather than take stronger stands covers its relative docility by claiming it “must wait for an okay” from the Northern California ACLU.  His Chairmanship of the Board of MHCAN (Mental Health Clients Network) has been marked by secrecy, backroom dealing, and ultimately a failure to protect the previous powers of that organization with the food bank eliminated, a security guard now required, and public hearings put off a year.

Pleich is also working with activist Phil Posner on establishing an identified legal sleeping and storage zone–the Depot idea proposed 2 years ago.

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HUFF rises again: 11 AM Sub Rosa Cafe Wednesday October 11th–The City’s Cheaper Crankier Coffee and Chatter As Well

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The usual Sub Rosa Cafe 11 AM meeting at 703 Pacific today (Wednesday October 11) is back as promised.

On October 11th, Monterey County Lapis Road activists Wildfire and Becky Johnson will be coming to town to discuss Resistance strategies with HUFFsters.

Currently, the RV and vehicle dwellers down there are facing costly, unsustainable, and unnecessary relocations every day from 10 AM to 6 PM.  This process is whittling down their numbers, as the RV’s have been declared illegal to park in nearby cities.  The activists there are working on a Coastal Commission appeal among other strategies.  Salinas homeless activist Wes White is researching the resurgence of anti-RV parking laws in Seaside, Monterey, Sand City, Salinas, and surrounding communities.

Check out White’s video of the Fresno Homeless Protests two weeks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gafECSWjJm0 ago at .

Listen to Chief Andy Mills latest liberal sentiments on his someday plan to stop citations and harassment of the homeless under the Sleeping Ban at http://radiolibre.org/brb/brb171008.mp3  (1 hour and 32 minutes into the audio file).
We have few if any reports of police and ranger use of the newly expanded Stay-Away law.  Its selective enforcement powers  are described at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/09/12/18802845.php (“Stacked Deck Stay-Away Law Expansion Promises More Pain for Poor Outside“)   The SCPD has readied Public Records that document the use of this abusive process for the last 9 months (no word from Parks and Rec).  Help HUFF document this wretched record.   Fight the Stay-Away orders as they are individually levied on homeless folks contact Food Not Bombs  or HUFF  (numbers below).  Let these folks know if you or anyone you know has recently been given a Stay-Away order along with an Infraction ticket, particularly if it’s for longer than 24 hours (or 72 hours after October 12th when the new expanded law goes into effect).

Also please report conditions in San Lorenzo Park, around the Post Office, and along the Coral St. sidewalk where numerous nightly encampments have grown.
If you abhor meetings and wish to work on Public Records, Help compile accounts of Police/Ranger abuses, Monitor the new Library Rules, and/or Assist in getting interviews for Free Radio broadcasts or You-Tube Postings, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.  Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  Contact them at 575-770-3377. 

Now You See Us, Now You Don’t HUFF 11 AM Huddle Postponed from 10-4 to 10-11. Today’s Wednesday Meeting CANCELLED

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The usual Sub Rosa Cafe 11 AM meeting at 703 Pacific today (Wednesday October 4) has been kicked ahead to Wednesday October 11th. Mark your calendars.

On October 11th, Monterey County Lapis Road activists Wildfire and Becky Johnson will be coming to town to discuss Resistance strategies with HUFFsters.

Currently, the RV and vehicle dwellers down there are facing costly, unsustainable, and unnecessary relocations every day from 10 AM to 6 PM.  This process is whittling down their numbers, as the RV’s have been declared illegal to park in nearby cities.  The activists there are working on a Coastal Commission appeal among other strategies.  Salinas homeless activist Wes White has proposed a Parade of Forgotten Voices to be planned 8 AM October 5th at the Silver Bullet along Lapis Road [https://www.facebook.com/groups/1723196254578198/ ]

White and Johnson recently visited Fresno joining dozens of others Standing in Solidarity with the Homeless last week in a civil disobedient campout which White videoed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gafECSWjJm0
Activist Brent Adams reports from the Post Office encampment at https://www.facebook.com/HomelessOutsideSantaCruz/ and more updates can occasionally be found there.   The threatened expulsion of those sleeping there did not happen on October 1st–the threats reported by sidewalk sleepers there.  San Lorenzo Park campers were excluded September 28,29, and 30 with posted signs.

We have few if any reports of police and ranger use of the newly expanded Stay-Away law.  Its selective enforcement powers can be are described at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/09/12/18802845.php (“Stacked Deck Stay-Away Law Expansion Promises More Pain for Poor Outside“)   The SCPD has readied Public Records that document the use of this abusive process for the last 9 months (no word from Parks and Rec).  Help HUFF document this wretched record.   Fight the Stay-Away orders as they are individually levied on homeless folks contact Food Not Bombs  or HUFF  (numbers below).  Let these folks know if you or anyone you know has recently been given a Stay-Away order along with an Infraction ticket, particularly if it’s for longer than 24 hours (or 72 hours after October 12th when the new expanded law goes into effect).

Also please report conditions in San Lorenzo Park, around the Post Office, and along the Coral St. sidewalk where numerous nightly encampments have grown.
If you abhor meetings and wish to work on Public Records, Help compile accounts of Police/Ranger abuses, Monitor the new Library Rules, and/or Assist in getting interviews for Free Radio broadcasts or You-Tube Postings, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.  Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  Contact them at 575-770-3377. 

 

Back from the Boonies! HUFF meets tomorrow at 11 AM at the Sub Rosa Cafe 9-27.

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The usual Sub Rosa Cafe 11 AM meeting at 703 Pacific tomorrow (Wednesday September 27) is back.

On the agenda: What to do when the new “liberal” police chief moves on the Post Office Survival Sleepers on October 1st…Preparing a defense for the Stay-Away Stupidity which intensifies on October 12th…implications of the new Unreasonably Disturbing Noise ordinance voted into law at City Council Tuesday…and a few surprises…

A description of the nasty law expanded police selective enforcement powers can be found at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/09/12/18802845.php (“Stacked Deck Stay-Away Law Expansion Promises More Pain for Poor Outside“)   If you’d like to help review the Public Records (still not fully disclosed) and/or help fight the Stay-Away orders as they are individually levied on homeless folks, contact Food Not Bombs  or HUFF  (numbers below).  Let these folks know if you or anyone you know has recently been given a Stay-Away order along with an Infraction ticket, particularly if it’s for longer than 24 hours (or 72 hours after October 12th when the new expanded law goes into effect).

Also please report conditions in San Lorenzo Park and around the Post Office.  
If you abhor meetings and wish to work on Public Records, Help compile accounts of Police/Ranger abuses, Monitor the new Library Rules, and/or Assist in getting interviews for Free Radio broadcasts or You-Tube Postings, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.  Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  Contact them at 575-770-3377. 

Today’s Meeting Cancelled–HUFF Retreats in Mourning over Council’s Ballooning of Police Anti-Homeless Powers in Deceptively Named “School Safety” Zones 9-13

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The usual Sub Rosa Cafe 11 AM meeting at 703 Pacific tomorrow (Wednesday September 13) will not be formally happening today, although the Cafe may be open and some HUFF members may be there.

A description of the nasty law expanded police selective enforcement powers can be found at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/09/12/18802845.php (“Stacked Deck Stay-Away Law Expansion Promises More Pain for Poor Outside“)   If you’d like to help review the Public Records (still not fully disclosed) and/or help fight the Stay-Away orders as they are individually levied on homeless folks, contact Food Not Bombs  or HUFF  (numbers below).

Tune in at 7 PM Thursday 9-14 on Free Radio Santa Cruz to hear an interview with Police Chief Andy Mills, whose supportive (and misleading) testimony helped pass the toxic Stay-Away expansion 4-3  (Mayor Chase unexpectedly joined the opposition with Brown and Krohn).
If you abhor meetings and wish to work on Public Records, Help compile accounts of Police/Ranger abuses, Monitor the new Library Rules, and/or Assist in getting interviews for Free Radio broadcasts or You-Tube Postings, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.  Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  Contact them at 575-770-3377. 

HUFF Back Wednesday 11 AM at the Sub Rosa Cafe or on the sidewalk nearby 9-6

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In what may be a short small meeting, HUFFsters will gather at or near the Sub Rosa Cafe at 703 Pacific tomorrow (Wednesday September 6) at 11 AM.  On our minds:  the final vote coming up at City Council on 7-12 enlarging the cop-created Stay-Away edicts, new SCPD police chief Andy Mills–Eureka Record and Santa Cruz Direction, restarting the Vigil Against Two Wars–War on the Poor and Wars Abroad (with particular focus on Nuclear Threats against North Korea), the MHCAN question, and hopefully a spot of coffee.
If you abhor meetings and wish to work on Public Records, Help compile accounts of Police/Ranger abuses, Monitor the new Library Rules, and/or Assist in getting interviews for Free Radio broadcasts or You-Tube Postings, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.  Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  Contact them at 575-770-3377. 

Another Week of HUFF Hiatus -NO 11 AM Meeting Today: But Stuff You Can Do to Fight City Council’s New Expanded Anti-Homeless Stay-Away Law and Other Nasty Attacks on the Poor

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Though not meeting today, HUFF members and sympathizers are still focused on a resisting the War Against the Poor here.

The new 72-hour police power that allows cops to issue Stay-Away orders if they give out any infractions from all City parks, passed City Council 4-1 yesterday.  This is a direct attack on poor people who try to sleep in the Pogonip or San Lorenzo Park at night–since there is no alternate shelter (and when it available to a few was often regarded as wretched, bug-ridden, unsafe, and dehumanizing).  Assistant City Manager Scott Collins deceptively evaded when asked whether there were any shelter spaces to send those driven from the parks citing future collaboration with the Count

The law was dressed up in “protect the children” clothing as a “School Safety” measure.  No statistics citing specific problems with children were even attached to the staff report.

It will receive a final vote in two weeks to become law (which is fairly certain), but e-mail to the City Council can still be sent to them putting opposition on record at citycouncil@cityofsantacruz.com . If passed again in two weeks, he current 24-hour Stay-Away period will triple.


+++ write a letter to the Sentinel, Good Times, facebook friends, or other on-line media denouncing the ordinance.  See my story at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2017/08/22/18802084.php (“Toxic Expansion of Stay-Away Ordinance Hits Council Agenda Today”) for a brief description.   Note: the law triples the length of cop-created Stay-Away time, but not the actual fine as misstated in my article.


+++ Sign up to support homeless resistance by using the “appeal process” hastily added on to the Stay-Away law which requires the City Manager’s office to hear an appeal before the Stay-Away is implemented.  Contact Food Not Bombs at its Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday meals.  Or go to their facebook page at Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs.  Leave a message there for HUFF or contact HUFF by phone at 831-423-4833.


HELP FIGHT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THOSE OUTSIDE IN OTHER ARENAS

+++ Restrictive library regulations (check out that fine print as you enter the downtown branch),  Let us know how library staff and “Security Thugs” are treating you.


+++  Ongoing crackdown on MHCAN at a Public Hearing to “revoke and replace” their special unit permit according to Board of Director mouthpiece Steve Pleich.  He and his Board, after many months of hush-hush secrecy and “don’t rock the boat” tactics are calling for public letters and calls to the Planning Department in advance of their September 7th hearing.  Attention: Mike Ferry, City of Santa Cruz, Dept. of Planning and Community Development, 809 Center St., Room 206, S.C. 95060  or e-mail at mferry@cityofsantacruz.com Let us know of any new police or vigilante actions against MHCAN or their clients, as well as any internal “crackdown” regs within MHCAN itself.

+++ Support Food Not Bombs and others who continue to support the Freedom Sleeper Tuesday Night protest at City Hall (there again for the 110th time, with food and frolic, though not necessarily any overnight sleepers).  Contact them if you wish to support their lawsuit against Santa Cruz’s anti-homeless laws (575-770-3377), to volunteer for FNB meal prep or protest support, or to provide information about ongoing harassment at San Lorenzo Park and elsewhere.  


+++ Keep informed on the struggles in other cities.  In Marina, RV dwellers are organizing with support from Monterey County Homeless Union activists Becky Johnson and Wes Modes.  See story at http://www.montereyherald.com/article/NF/20170814/NEWS/170819925  For updated accounts from real people impacted  by the crackdown, check out https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=monterey%20county%20homeless%20advocates

+++ If you wish to work on Public Records, or learn about other HUFF projects, contact Bathrobespierre Robert of HUFF at 831-423-4833.  


HUFF Extended Vacation Continues–NO 11 AM Meeting Tomorrow: at Sub Rosa Cafe–Contact by Phone or E-Mail if You Have Reports or Want to Volunteer

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The local War Against the Poor shows no signs of letting up:

+++ restrictive library regulations (check out that fine print as you enter the downtown branch),  Let us know how library staff and “Security Thugs” are treating you.

+++ formalizing the crackdown on MHCAN at a Public Hearing to “revoke and replace” their special unit permit according to Board of Director mouthpiece Steve Pleich.  He and his Board, after many months of hush-hush secrecy and “don’t rock the boat” tactics are calling for public letters and calls to the Planning Department in advance of their September 7th hearing.  Attention: Mike Ferry, City of Santa Cruz, Dept. of Planning and Community Development, 809 Center St., Room 206, S.C. 95060  or e-mail at mferry@cityofsantacruz.com Let us know of any new police or vigilante actions against MHCAN or their clients, as well as any internal “crackdown” regs within MHCAN itself.

+++ supporting Food Not Bombs and others who continue to support the Freedom Sleeper Tuesday Night protest at City Hall (there again for the 110th time, with food and frolic, though not necessarily any overnight sleepers).  Contact them if you wish to support their lawsuit against Santa Cruz’s anti-homeless laws (575-770-3377), to volunteer for FNB meal prep or protest support, or to provide information about ongoing harassment at San Lorenzo Park and elsewhere.   Today is the 29th anniversary of Keith McHenry’s first arrest which he writes about at https://www.facebook.com/keith.mchenry.fnb/posts/10155457600768820 and https://www.facebook.com/keith.mchenry.fnb/media_set?set=a.10155457600723820.1073741890.691903819&type=3&pnref=story.unseen-section .     FNB chapters continue to be under attack in Whittier, CA and elsewhere.


+++ keeping informed on the struggles in other cities.  FNB  successfully served food ignoring arrest threats at St. James Park in San Jose last Sunday.  In Marina, RV dwellers are organizing with support from Monterey County Homeless Union activists Becky Johnson and Wes Modes.  See story at http://www.montereyherald.com/article/NF/20170814/NEWS/170819925  For updated accounts from real people impacted  by the crackdown, check out https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=monterey%20county%20homeless%20advocates

If you wish to work on Public Records, or any of these other tasks, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.  Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  

HUFF in Reorganizational Recess– 11 AM Meeting Tomorrow: at Sub Rosa Cafe Depends on Who Shows Up

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Hot-to-trot HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) may be largely taking a break tomorrow for Rest and Recuperation. Numbers if any are likely to be small and spotty.

Some activists may be showing up there for to exchange information, but a number are disabled by various medical and transportation problems, so it’s catch-as-catch can.   Realistically, there is no guarantee of coffee or company, but some may be showing to report on today’s Shitty Council meeting and Freedom Sleeper Daytime Protest outside the Chambers.

If you wish to work on Public Records, Help compile accounts of Police/Ranger abuses, Monitor the new Library Rules, and/or Assist in getting interviews for Free Radio broadcasts or You-Tube Postings, contact Bathrobespierre Robert at 831-423-4833.  Activists around Food Not Bombs and the Freedom Sleepers are also looking for help gathering volunteers for the support meals on Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday as well as folks who want to help homeless harassed with citations for Being Visibly Homeless.  Contact them at 575-770-3377.