This interview is part of the book Media Workers for Social Change, written and photographed by Peter Maiden.
One year ago today, the preliminary hearing for Santa Cruz Indymedia photographers Bradley Stuart Allen and Alex Darocy began. They were charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of conspiracy, trespassing and vandalism, because they reported on the occupation of an empty Wells Fargo building in Santa Cruz. Four people still face charges for the incident, and have a trial date in May. Below is the story of what happened to Allen.
Approximately 50 supporters of the Santa Cruz Eleven packed into Department 6 of the Santa Cruz Courthouse on August 20 2012, for a hearing before Judge Paul Burdick to decide if the case against the seven remaining defendants would be dismissed. The defendants, their attorneys, and supporters were disappointed when Judge Burdick ruled that the case will proceed, and scheduled a confirmation hearing on January 4 2013, at 9:00 a.m., followed by a preliminary hearing on Monday January 7.
The August 17 readiness hearing for seven of the Santa Cruz Eleven drew to a close with optimism for the defendants, and a weekend of work for District Attorney Rebekah Young. Judge Burdick issued an order that DA Young produce a detailed inventory of all evidence in the case, when it was, or was not, provided to each of the defense attorneys, and the methodology used to transmit the evidence, particularly the videos.
On Thursday, July 5th, over a dozen supporters attended a hearing at the Santa Cruz Courthouse for five of the Santa Cruz Eleven; Gabriella Riply-Phipps, Becky Johnson, Robert Norse, Desiree Foster, and Brent Adams.