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Last Night DIY Santa Cruz Parades for Sixth Year

Published on January 2, 2011 in Arts & Creation

The sixth annual Last Night DIY Santa Cruz paraded up Pacific Avenue on December 31st after gathering in the Saturn Cafe parking lot at sundown. Drummers, hoopers, stiltists, puppeteers, pacifists, breakdancers and many people in costume took part in the parade. Despite fear mongering from the SCPD in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the Last Night DIY was well attended by participants and spectators. Read More and View Photos

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“Unreasonably Disturbing Noises” Trial Continued for Robert Facer and Robert Norse

Published on July 20, 2010 in Arts & Creation, Police

On July 20th, Robert “Blindbear” Facer, a homeless street musician, and Robert Norse, a housed activist and long-time supporter of homeless civil rights, had their trial continued until August 3rd. On January 6th, they were issued a $445 citation for an alleged violation of MC 9.36.020, the city’s ordinance against “unreasonably disturbing noises,” during a demonstration against war and occupation abroad and the local criminalization of poverty, within a “free speech zone” outside of Bookshop Santa Cruz on the Pacific Avenue sidewalk.

The police allegedly arrived at the January 6th demonstration to issue citations based on a “citizen’s complaint” from Sean Reilly, a resident in the nearby St. George apartments. He complained because he was trying to sleep, at 2:30pm, on a Wednesday. Sean was in court on July 20th and presumably ready to testify. SCPD officer Lauren Schonfield, who issued the citations, also appeared in court.

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People v. Wes Modes: Trying to Remove DIY from Santa Cruz

Published on July 18, 2010 in Arts & Creation, Police, Solidarity & Outreach

Wes Modes returned to Santa Cruz County Court on July 16th. This high-profile infraction case, claimed by supporters as harassment of Modes, a well-known anarchist activist, stems from his alleged participation in the Last Night DIY New Year’s parade on December 31st, 2009, as well as a knowledge that the 2009 parade did not receive a permit. A ruling in the case is expected shortly after August 9th.

According to supporters, the parade infraction is the latest in a series of police harassment that Wes has received since outing Santa Cruz police officers who infiltrated activist meetings in 2005. Longtime Santa Cruz resident and parade participant Grant Wilson stated that Wes, an outspoken critic of the Santa Cruz Police Department, is being unjustly targeted from a crowd of community organizers, facilitators and participants. Wes is apparently one of three people that were issued a citation for participating in the DIY Parade.

The July 16th hearing, originally scheduled at 1:30 in Dept. #2, was delayed and moved to Dept. #5, and eventually heard before Judge Jeff Almquist. Wes was represented in court by defense attorney Jonathan Gettleman. John Barisone argued the case for the city of Santa Cruz.

Each side called two witnesses to testify on the stand. Kathy Agnone, Special Event Permit Coordinator for the city of Santa Cruz testified on behalf of the city, as did SCPD officer Lauren Sconfield. Testifying on behalf of Wes were two parade participants, including Sherry Conable, an organizer of the Peace Walk which which led off the DIY Parade.

Approximately 30 people attended the hearing in support of Wes, and against what many people view as a clear case of selective enforcement. 30 people seems to be an impressive number of supporters to show up at a court hearing, however Wes has done so many positive things for the Santa Cruz community, therefore it would be more appropriate to have seen hundreds of people calling for the charge to be dropped due to selective enforcement. Read More and View Photos

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Santa Cruz Farmers’ Market Expands. Is the Drum Circle Finally Over?

Published on April 21, 2010 in Arts & Creation, Environment

Wednesday, April 21st was the first day of the expanded Farmers’ Market in downtown Santa Cruz.

While I was finishing lunch in a nearby restaurant, I heard the owner speaking with one of her employees about the expansion of the market, and she was not happy about it. She said that the increased amount of goods and services now being offered each Wednesday at the Farmers’ Market will have a negative impact on her restaurant and other downtown businesses. The feelings expressed by this longtime owner of a downtown restaurant do not correspond with an announcement from the Farmers’ Market which states, “The plans for the new Downtown Market have engendered excitement and full support from downtown businesses located adjacent to the market.”

The Farmers’ Market was also strangely quiet compared to previous weeks. Notably absent was the weekly drum circle and the crowd it attracts. And a vendor was selling artisan bread where for years, Food Not Bombs had been distributing free meals to anyone. Read More and View Photos

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Amazing Night of Poetry and Performance at SubRosa

Published on January 8, 2010 in Arts & Creation

Poetry and Performance at SubRosa I strayed into SubRosa, the infoshop at the south end of Pacific Avenue in Santa Cruz, a quarter past eight on Thursday, January 7th for the weekly Open Mic. It’s a fairly small space, so there is no mic, but there was a well-crafted stage to prop up the creative poets, musicians and performers. SubRosa has an effective layout for squeezing in a couple dozen people, and a puppy, as well as low-key lighting which made for a pleasant ambiance.

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