Freedom SleepOuts Continue as City Council Election Circus Begins

Night #56 on the Sidewalk; Another Demand for Justice

Date Tuesday August 02
Time
5:00 PM Tuesday to 9 AM Wednesday
Location Details Create a Sidewalk City Adjacent to Santa Cruz City Hall
Event Type
Protest
Organizer/Author
Keith McHenry
Email keith [at] foodnotbombs.net
Phone
575-770–3377

ELECTION BLUES
As City Council Candidate chatter begins in August, Freedom Sleepers invite the Council candidates to join them on the sidewalk and publicly speak out against the anti-homeless 11 PM – 8:30 AM.

To check in on the latest contenders for 4 City Council seats in November, go to http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/departments/city-clerk/elections-2382 and then scroll down to List of Prospective 2016 Candidates.

CURRENT SUSPECTS
Current declared candidates include J.M. Brown, Steven Pleich, Nathanael A. Kennedy, Drew “Dru” S. Glover, Martine Watkins, Mayor Cynthia Mathews, Steve Schnaar, James (Jim) P. Davis, Robert Singleton, and Sandra (Sandy) L. Brown. You can find links to their websites (those who have them) there. None of the candidates is clearly highlighting human rights restoration for the poor. Only Steve Pleich has actually spent nights with the Freedom Sleepers.

As with the national elections, the local elections are taking place within a corrupt money-heavy staff-powerful environment. Organizing around issues rather than candidates may be a much better idea.

MORE OF THE SAME AS THE SIDEWALK STRUGGLE CONTINUES
Also ripe for removal–the laws that shut down parks at night and send out Rangers with ticket books and stay-away orders to harass the unhoused who seek refuge there.

As social services shut down all around Santa Cruz and the City welcomes tourist, Freedom Sleepers offer a sidewalk sanctuary and protest focus on Tuesday nights. You may be illegal, but at least you’re illegal in company.

FINAL RV APPEAL COMING UP
With RV removal on the City Homeless-Removal Squad’s Agenda, community members are invited to remember that The Coastal Commission will hear an appeal of the city-wide nighttime parking ban, on Wednesday, August 10 at 9 AM at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley at 6001 La Madrona Drive.

For more from RV activists themselves, check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/rvparkingrights/

SPEAK OUT AND READ UP!
To speak about these issued on Free Radio Santa Cruz, call in Sunday 9:30 AM to 2 PM and Tuesdays 6-8 PM at 831-427-3772.

For updates and history on a variety of homeless issues, go to http://www.huffsantacruz.org .

To follow current and recent Freedom Sleeper activity, compliments of Steve Pleich, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomsleepers/

This notice and the attached flier are by Robert Norse–who is solely responsible for its content.