Every New Year’s since 2005, the DIY celebration has been peaceful, creative, and fun. However, because of its lack of official sanction, civic leaders have opposed the celebration from the beginning. In 2010, police tried to shut down the parade by selectively targeting individuals who participated.

“While the police and civic leaders try to frighten us with the specter of downtown violence, we just want to participate in a communal celebration with our neighbors,” said Elizabeth Burchfield. “We are tired of being afraid. It’s time to organize together.”

In 2005, Santa Cruz police were discovered infiltrating the parade planning group. An outcry by community members with the help of the ACLU put in place rules to severely restrict local surveillance operations of community groups.

According to the Last Night DIY website, the parade, from its beginnings in 2005, was not about merely celebrating, “but celebrating what we as a community can do ourselves, without corporate or city-sponsorship. It is a celebration of both our autonomy and the support we offer each other.”

Each year, organization is spontaneous and open. There is no single group of organizers. “Everyone who participates makes it happen,” said Burchfield.

The DIY Parade meets every year on New Year’s Eve at 5pm near the Saturn Cafe parking lot on Pacific Avenue and Spruce Street. More information is available at the event’s website, LastNightDIY.org

Santa Cruz Indymedia feature coverage of the Last Night DIY New Year’s Parade: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010

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This article, along with the following photos, were also published at Indybay.org.

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The agencies conducting the raid included the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, police departments from Santa Cruz, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Watsonville and UC Santa Cruz, according to a State Park Ranger who was blocking pedestrian and press access to cross the Water Street Bridge. Rangers, along with City of Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation, were also dismantling tents inside the park. Employees of First Alarm, a private security and policing corporation, were present as well.

For more information on Occupy Santa Cruz, please visit:

Occupy Santa Cruz Helps Those Fallen Through the Cracks
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/11/21/18700650.php

Santa Cruz Co. Sheriff’s Office Dismantles Occupy Santa Cruz Geodesic Dome and Structures at Courthouse
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/12/08/18702101.php

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For more information on Occupy Santa Cruz, please visit:

Occupy Santa Cruz Helps Those Fallen Through the Cracks
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/11/21/18700650.php

Below is the transcribed text, along with photographs of the original handwritten letter.

Hello SCPD,

This letter is to contest the notion that vacant, unused private property should be ethically or legally seen as the equivalent of an occupied home. The basis for [City Manager] Martin Bernal’s criticism of our efforts to reclaim 75 River Street for the community was that this goes against existing property laws, and that the needs of this community’s poor – notably the homeless – can be met through more traditional methods, such as voting procedures, or by continuing to protest extreme social inequality without breaking the law. This argument suffers from numerous deficiencies, and as it’s been used to justify aggressive behavior towards us it’s worth scrutinizing.

With regard to voting, it should be amply clear from the two major political parties’ decision-making these past three decades that the interests of the masses, the 99%, are not the driving force in political change. Money, corporate interest groups, and international capital have been. As there is currently no political group with poor and homeless peoples’ needs in mind, and the “mainstream” political system is funded to work against these interests, it is entirely understandable that many in our community and others like it are skeptical of voting. This space has been occupied to meet urgent, concrete needs that can’t wait for election time to be met: food, shelter, bathrooms, safety from abuse, and many more.

A related argument that’s been used against us is that positive social change can occur through forms of protest that obey the law. This of course ignores the question: How is it possible to effectively protest our system of laws, while at the same time fully obeying them? Perhaps an answer would be: through mobilizing public opinion. We certainly do believe in ethically mobilizing public opinion, but the issue remains of what to mobilize it for. As stated above, we have no interest in participating in a structurally corrupt voting system dominated by two massively corporate-funded political parties – so a traditional “get out the vote” effort is not the primary goal of what we are doing. We want the public to take direct action and actually join us in solidarity – and if they cannot join us here, to do it by occupying neglected spaces in their own city. As you know, this building occupation has become an object of national, and increasingly international, interest. For people who value human life over private property, it will doubtless serve as an inspiration.

To conclude, we would like to share one very important thought: whether or not this building occupation is shut down, others will spring up. You, the police, have taken a stand against the 99% in the service of an obsolete 1%. In these times of rapid change, it is guaranteed you will lose what support you have by continuing to protect the commodities of the super-elite at the expense of people’s health, well-being, and sense of community. Please begin thinking and acting conscientiously, by joining the 99%!

Sincerely,

The 75 River Street
Community Center

Letter transcribed by Heather R. Putnam; photos by Bradley Stuart. Originally published on Indybay.org

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“The building is being re-purposed under Federal and State laws surrounding ‘adverse possession.’ This law states that space is most beneficial to the people who use it. Spaces like this one, reclaimed from the wealthiest 1%, are places where we can seek redress to our grievances.”

Photos: Vacant Bank Occupied Part 1 | Part 2

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The communique continues by laying out a vision for the building, “In the years to come, this space will be used to organize humanitarian efforts, house a library, and provide a forum for discussions. The General Assembly of Occupy Santa Cruz is also invited to use this space.

“This building will be a space for the expansion of our movement, please respect it as our new home.”

Signed, “OCCUPY THE BANKS”

At 6:30 PM, about two dozen cops attempted to enter the building, first breaking through a line a supporters on the outside, but then forcefully pushed backed by those occupying the building. The police then left the occupation, as dance music played for the people gathered both inside and outside the building.

By 12:30 AM on December 1st, approximately 75 people were holding strong inside the newly re-purposed former bank at 75 River Street in Santa Cruz.

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People held signs with statements including:

• The Two Party System is A Farce. It’s All About Money

• Stop the Wars! Stop the War on Workers!

• Corporations Are People!??? Great! Let’s Break Their Knee-caps!

• Stop Funding an Endless War, Invest in Community

• End the Fed

• Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport!

• Land of the Fees, Home of the Slave

• Share More, Consume Less

• End Corporate Personhood, Move to Amend

• Corporations Have More Rights Than I Do

For more information and to participate, please see:

Occupy Santa Cruz Going Strong: Notes from 2nd General Assembly
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/07/18692592.php

Inspired by Egypt, Motivated by Financial Inequality, Occupy Wall Street Expands Across US
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/04/18692124.php

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On September 17th, over one thousand demonstrators poured into New York City’s financial district to confront corporate greed by establishing an ongoing presence, day and night, in lower Manhattan. The idea was to create an American Tahir Square on Wall Street. Police blocked marchers from reaching Wall Street, but hundreds persisted and set up camp in Zuccotti Park, now dubbed Liberty Plaza. Read More and View Photos

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Occupy Santa Cruz suggests that people bring tents and tarps for the occupation at San Lorenzo Park starting October 6th at 10am, and be ready for a march at 3:30pm. It was also proposed that there be a nightly General Assembly at San Lorenzo Park at 6pm with a main GA on either Saturday or Sunday.

The following working groups were established to support Occupy Santa Cruz:

• Housing
• Setup/Cleanup
• Accessibility/Safer Space
• Music/Art
• Donations: Food/Finance
• Outreach
• Legal
• Media
• Philosophy/Strategy

People are encouraged to attend General Assembly meetings and participate in a working group.

Indybay coverage — Occupy Everywhere: Inspired by Egypt, Motivated by Financial Inequality, Occupy Wall Street Expands Across US

On August 25th, 75 people marched in downtown Santa Cruz from Laurel and Pacific to City Hall on Center Street in an action organized by the Save the Knoll Coalition. One person maintained an indigenous chant throughout the march, many people carried signs and banners, and several distributed educational flyers.

The march was urgently organized for 10am on a Thursday because the Santa Cruz City Council was holding a special closed meeting, but the Branciforte Creek development was not on their agenda. However, prior to the closed meeting, twenty minutes were allocated for public comments about the pending Branciforte Creek development. Read More and View Photos

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Charlene Sul, a representative of the Save the Knoll Coalition, was one of the people who made impassioned public comments. Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Don Lane reported that he has been talking with KB Home representatives in an effort to protect the Knoll. Councilmember Tony Madrigal inquired with city attorney John Barrisone about holding another city council meeting soon to discuss the Knoll. Tony’s inquiry was backed by Councilmember Katherine Beiers, who said she was misinformed regarding the public comment period, and had told about 15 people that there would not be time for public comment.

At a rally outside city hall following the public comment period, Save the Knoll organizers stated that they felt the response from City Council was positive overall. But this is no time for people to let their guards down, rather it is important for people to continue putting pressure on KB Home and the Santa Cruz City Council.

Ohlone descendants have asked for a halt to any earth movement or development on the 6,000 year old village and burial site. Hundreds of Santa Cruz residents have rallied in support of the Ohlone people who are asking that the area be protected before anymore of their ancestors are disturbed.

For background information, breaking news, and ways to get involved in the ongoing efforts to save the Knoll, visit the coalition’s website at SaveTheKnoll.org