FREE JUDGMENT DAY BREAKFAST 8:30 AM Friday March 19 701 Ocean in front of the courthouse

Modest Munchables Compliments of Jumbogumbo Joe Schultz

Spunky Speeches: Attorney Ed Frey, Congressional Candidate

Soapbox Special: Tell Your Tale and Share Your Stories

Grab the Grub, then Face Up to the Homeless-Hostile Courts

Stand Up and Support Civil Liberties for Anna and Miguel!



Two Facing Jail for Sleeping 9 AM in Dept. 4

Santa Cruz authorities in the “laid back” “liberal” Surf City


...make all nighttime outdoor & vehicular sleeping illegal for its 1500-2000 homeless population.


...has emergency walk-in shelter for less than 200 people each night, ½ that amount on April 15.
...prescribe a $98 fine for those who sleep or cover up with blankets at night outside, and a larger fine for those who “camp” at any time.


...make three “unattended” citations a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1000 fine & 6 months in jail.

The Santa Cruz City Attorney John Barisone
...has singled out two homeless musicians and banned them from sleeping downtown (as well as making it illegal on all other public property in Santa Cruz) in a civil injunction granted in May 2009.
...has not convicted the two of any criminal offenses during that period, but now brings three police reports alleging sleeping during the day as “evidence” of a public nuisance when it's illegal to sleep at night.


...seeks 15 days in jail, 240 hours of Community Service, and extensive fines for Anna Richardson and Miguel deLeon without a trial, a jury, or a paid public defender.

Crackdown Downtown and Around the Town


... Police engage in one-sided enforcement of the “noise” code against street musicians and political activists on any complaint regardless of whether it meets the law's standard. On January 6, three singers (and one passerby) were given $445 tickets for singing a satirical song mocking the Downtown Association and the City's anti-homeless laws. Officer Shoenfeld refused to take a counter-arrest for “false police report”.


...Police selectively enforce the absurd “sit within 14' of a building, get a ticket” law without warning or complaint as well as singling out peaceful spare changers with signs for “aggressive panhandling”.


...Violent incidents by police officers and deputies on the street, in the police station, and in jail cells is on the rise; Mayor Rotkin has declined to provide answers to questions about the use of tasers.
...Vice-Mayor Coonerty's “Parking Lot Panic” law prescribes $100+ fines for reading a book in your car or socializing in any public parking lot downtown.


...Mayor Rotkin endorsed Chief Ranger John Wallace's policy of destroying homeless survival gear and personal property at campsites after 3 days, in violation of state law and the Fresno Kinkaid decision.


...Police now enforce “trespass” laws at the Metro and in spaces open to the public regardless of the First Amendment's guarantee of public access. On Saturday March 13, Sgt. Dan Flippo ticketed two ACLU activists standing at the entrance to the downtown Trader Jo's for trespass. Mayor Rotkin claims Metro security guards have the right to order members of the community to leave the bus facility—even if they are committing no criminal activity. The SCPD is directed to back up these banishment orders with $200+ tickets.

More info: http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/03/15/18641100.php?show_comments=1#18641238
Flyer by HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) 831-423-4833 http://www.huffsantacruz.org 309 Cedar PMB #14B Santa Cruz, CA 3-16-10