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

Debating the Road Ahead: 

Key Freedom Sleepers Say that the City Citation Crackdown has removed the Tuesday night “Safe Sleeping Zone” and without court and legal support, “luring” homeless people to protest is simply abusive.   Other unhoused Freedom Sleeper Veterans say they’ll be back with food support.   Which path to choose?    Come and weigh in at HUFF.

Other topics likely to be thrown about:              Focusing the Fight Against the SCPD’s Phony Stay-Away Orders.

Defending MHCAN–now under full-scale attack.  

DIY strategies for dealing with tickets. 

Connecting with Senior Houselessness Here and Across the Hill.                                                           And whatever the hot summer breeze blows in.

A busy Tuesday with Project Connect, Freedom SleepOut #106, and a packed room on the ACLU’s  “Know Your Houseless Rights”  Forum.   Come and share coffee and news.

Given that the Sub Rosa, where HUFF regularly meets, is likely to be closed tomorrow and the folks leading the HUFF meeting have had to cancel, HUFF is postponing its next meeting until Wednesday the 19th.

Agenda Options:      More support work for the Survival Sleepers that may return to City Hall tonight;  PR Support for Freedom Sleep-Out #100 Coming Up Tuesday June 6th; Parsing the City Manager’s Public Records Response to the New Anti-First Amendment Signs at City Hall; Salinas Victory–Activist Wes White Opens a Chinatown Shelter; Exposing The Phony “Resources” List Being Given Out by Police to Justify Creating More Homeless Refugees Downtown; and coffee to boot!    Activist “Laughing” Laura Tucker will be maintaining humorous order at the meeting.

HUFF Agenda Prospects:   Whence the UCSC/Renters/Unhoused Alliance?…Promising Persistence of the Survival Sleepers Bernalville…RV Updates from Around the State…Camping Ticket DIY Defense…and a look forward at the summer.   Come and chat.

On the Agenda:   City Manager Martin Bernal’s Latest Sign Posting Survival Sleeper Smashdown…Report Back from the Mayor Chase Meeting…Upcoming May 23rd Protest Plans (Sleeping Bags in City Council?)…the Marysville and Salinas Reports…Further Support for the Survival Sleepers at City Hall…plus whatever walks in the door…

HUFF taskmaster Bathrobespierre Robert Norse will be warming a chair at the Sub Rosa from 11 to 11:30, and perhaps longer if folks show.  Up for analysis, discussion, and possible action: Shfiting the Focus from City Council to the City Staff in the Survival Sleepers/Freedom Sleepers struggle, the positive outcome of the May 9 March and Sleep-Out #96; HUFF’s Vacation Plans; Monday’s Meeting with the Mayor–Creative Options; and some coffee quaffing–if you come before the Robe departs.   If you missed the meeting, or came late, call at 423-4833 for an update!

Update yourself on the Santa Cruz Anti-Homeless Laws, Making a Public Records Act Request, Schemes for Daytime Pressure Against the Sleeping Ban Bureaucrats at City Hall, Updates on the S.C. Tenant Rights Struggle, Plans for the May 9 SleepOut at City Hall and the Confrontation with City Council on Tuesday Night…plus other neat stuff. 

Freedom Sleeper Maxwell Green has a Pre-Trial Tomorrow at 10 AM in Dept. 2.  He is charged with interfering with an officer and may be pressed to accept a stay-away order and fine or go to trial with the risk of 30 days in jail and a fine.  Max is a long-time supporter and sleeper who is also a worker with the Monterey Union of the Homeless.   Supporters are encouraged to attend his court hearing in solidarity.