On August 24th, the ACLU of Santa Cruz County held their 2008 Summer Awards Celebration and Fundraiser at the Long Marine Lab's Seymour Center. The local ACLU presented Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty with the 'Hammer of Justice' award. Meanwhile, homeless rights advocates tried to educate ACLU members about what they say is the true nature of Mayor Coonerty.

Attorney Kate Wells, who is on the ACLU's legal committee, but was not consulted in the ACLU's decision to award Coonerty, expressed amazement and outrage at the decision. She wrote the following in an email to the Board, "Having brought many civil rights lawsuits against the City of Santa Cruz over the years of my practice, I have had the unique opportunity to witness first hand the human rights stances of every mayor and councilmember for the past couple of decades. Ryan Coonerty, in my opinion, has not only not stood up for the principles espoused by the ALCU, but has instituted and supported political and legislative stances that are inimical to the goal of achieving those principles. And such behavior is even more egregious given his status as a civil rights instructor." Read More | Photos

previous coverage: Activists ask ACLU to help end sleeping ban || Ban on Public Assemblies in Public Parking Lots at City Council || Sleeping Ban Debate on Voices from the Village || Santa Cruz Sleeping Ban Struggle Persists as Ryan Coonerty Becomes Mayor || Mayor Coonerty's New Rules Ban Public Comment on Half of City Council Afternoon Agenda || Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty Loses Bid to Become Obama Delegate in Denver