Good Times followed up on its longer story (http://santacruzeleven.org/2012/04/good-times-occupied/) at http://www.gtweekly.com/index.php/santa-cruz-news/santa-cruz-local-news/3742-occupy-update-.html.

City on a Hill also has a story at http://www.cityonahillpress.com/2012/05/03/the-people-vs-the-99-percent/ .

I wrote the following comment (which had to be divided into four sections because Good Times values really brief brevity) to the most recent Good Times piece. I encourage others to add their thoughts to the City on a Hill Press and GT articles.

My comment:


Thanks for this follow-up.

http://www.santacruzeleven.org is also a good first stop for updates on the case as well as http://www.indybay.org/santacruz.

Becky Johnson has written a number of hard-hitting articles at http://www.beckyjohnsononewomantalking.blogspot.com/search/label/Occupy%20Santa%20Cruz

Prosecutor R. Young, though some of the charges were dropped against Alex Darocy and Bradley Stuart Allen at their Preliminary Hearing in March, has refiled them. A motion to dismiss these charges and argue that selective prosecution fatally taints this case will be heard 9 AM in Dept. 6 before Judge Burdick on Tuesday May 8th.

Darocy and Allen's trials are scheduled for May 21st, but the judge will be a different one than dismissed the charges against the four defendants as described in the article above. Judge Sillman of Monterey County, a visiting judge, will be hearing the trial. He will also be hearing the Preliminary Hearing of the last five of us as well.

Chillingly, Sillman, on even less "evidence" than Young presented in Burdick's court, still found enough to forward "conspiracy to trespass", and two trespass charges to trial. No evidence of a prior agreement, no indication of the elements of the trespass charges present. The same far-fetched aiding-and-abetting just by being present.

Worse still, Sillman bought Young's toxic conspiracy theory that the two were "the media arm of the conspiracy" (by unknown people, against whom no evidence was presented) by virtue of their reporting--a frontal attack on First Amendment activity.

Five of us will now face that same Judge Sillman on May 29th. Bradley and Alex will face him on May 21st. (Judge Burdick will be on vacation during that time.)

Though Judge Burdick's dismissal of all charges is a welcome (and overdue) development, it will not prevent Young from refiling any or all charges against all 4, as she has promised to do with "Angel" Alcantara and Cameron Laurendeau. She has intimated she may also do against Grant Wilson and Ed Rector. She has already done this--refiling completely unsubstantiated felony vandalism and felony conspiracy to vandalize charges against Bradley and Alex.

Bob Lee's crazyhouse conspiracy circus whirls on.

Another support benefit will be held on Friday May 11th at India JoZe Restaurant 3-6 PM. I urge folks to not only support Bradley and Alex on May 8th and come to this benefit next week, but also to sign the on-line petition at http://www.santacruzeleven.org .

These charges are part of a darkening political sky in Santa Cruz and across the country--an unconstitutional crackdown against the Occupy movement by authorities who would crush what looks to be the most encouraging protest movement in decades.