Santa Cruz Co. Sheriffs Dept. Dismantles Occupy Santa Cruz Geodesic Dome and Structures at Courthouse

On December 4th, approximately 60 officers with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department conducted a predawn raid to dismantle the geodesic dome and other Occupy Santa Cruz structures which were on the steps of the county courthouse. Following the raid, Lieutenant Craig Wilson told people that they can demonstrate on the concrete, but are not allowed on the unpaved area which Sheriff's deputies surrounded with orange fencing. Lt. Wilson also stated that sleeping would be prohibited at the county courthouse, noting the City of Santa Cruz is apparently permitting people to sleep with tents in the adjacent San Lorenzo Park, which is the jurisdiction of the SCPD. ((i))