Santa Cruz

Last Night DIY Parade 2011: Occupy The New Year!

Published on December 31, 2011 in Community Building

Hundreds of people participated in the 7th Annual Last Night DIY New Year’s Parade on December 31st, 2011 in downtown Santa Cruz, California. Hundreds more lined Pacific Avenue to watch and document the grassroots New Year’s Eve celebration created by the community. The event has become both a homespun, family-friendly alternative celebration and a controversial embarrassment for the city.

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Police Raid and Destroy Occupy Santa Cruz Encampment in San Lorenzo Park

Published on December 8, 2011 in Police

On December 8th at about 7 a.m., approximately 100 police from across Santa Cruz County outfitted in riot gear raided the Occupy Santa Cruz encampment in San Lorenzo Park. The City of Santa Cruz and Police Department issued an evacuation notice on Monday, Dec. 5th to cease and desist all camping activity on Wednesday, Dec. 7th before 5 p.m.. Occupy Santa Cruz held a general assembly on Wednesday evening, and only a small number of people remained in San Lorenzo Park overnight. Read More and View Photos

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Santa Cruz Co. Sheriff’s Office Dismantles Occupy Santa Cruz Geodesic Dome and Structures at Courthouse

Published on December 4, 2011 in Police

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. Read More and View Photos

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75 River St. Community Center Writes Letter to Santa Cruz Police Department

Published on December 3, 2011 in Community Building

On December 3rd, a meeting was convened inside the occupied building at 75 River St. in Santa Cruz. At the meeting, a two page handwritten letter was composed, addressed to the Santa Cruz Police Department from The 75 River Street Community Center. The letter was left on a table for the police to find when they enter the building.

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

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One Demonstrator Arrested During Occupation of Vacant Bank in Santa Cruz

Published on November 30, 2011 in Police

On November 30th, Santa Cruz Police arrested a demonstrator named Joe on Water Street along the Post Office, while other activists were beginning the occupation of a vacant bank at 75 River Street in Santa Cruz. No witnesses knew why Joe was arrested, but he was later charged with “interfering with an officer”, and bailed out of jail for $100. While arresting Joe, the police made sure that he was not able to pass his video camera or phone to bystanders. Furthermore, his video camera and phone were not returned to him after he was bailed out of jail. Read More and View Photos

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Vacant Bank Occupied at River and Water Streets in Santa Cruz

Published on November 30, 2011 in Community Building

On November 30th, more than a hundred activists in Santa Cruz demonstrated in front of a Chase bank, before marching to and occupying a vacant bank building on River and Water Streets at 3 PM. A communique handed out shortly after the building was entered states, “This building is being re-purposed in solidarity with Occupy Santa Cruz. Formerly a Coast Commercial Bank, the building was bought by Wells Fargo, closed, and has been vacant for the past three years. The company leasing the building manages foreclosures for Wells Fargo.

“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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