Lodging 647(e) Trial: Jury Selection Begins

I offer my solidarity and support, and hope others can do the same.

Tues 11/6 10 AM Jury selection continues.
Tues - Fri 10 - 2; 1:30 - 4:30, Dept 1

NOTE TO READER: From the article: "sheriff's deputies cited sleeping people using a state law that makes lodging outside a misdemeanor." Actually, illegal lodging can occur outside or inside and on public or private property anywhere within the boundaries of the State of California. By law, its anywhere the "person in charge" says you can't be, which is, well, everywhere. Kind of broad. And kind of horrible. Please attend as much of this trial as possible. Please give support to Linda's two pro-bono attorneys, Jonathan Gettleman and Eric Nelson. And please give hell to DA Bob Lee for choosing to enforce this archaic law which cribs language from civil war era "Black Codes" used against Negros and Mulattos, outlawing "settling in". Please support Linda Lemaster. She faces up to six-months in jail if convicted. Previously convicted Peace Camp 2010 members, Gary Johnson and Ed Frey were sentenced to six months in jail on a first offence (the maximum allowed under State law). Gary was incarcerated in September and will soon rejoin humanity. Ed Frey is on house arrest. ---Becky Johnson of HUFF

Trial starting for Santa Cruz woman charged in 2010 Peace Camp demonstration

By Jessica M. Pasko
Santa Cruz Sentinel
Posted: 11/05/2012 05:55:06 PM PST
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_21935501/trial-starting-santa-cruz-woman-charged-2010-peace


SANTA CRUZ -- Opening statements are expected to begin Tuesday for a woman facing criminal charges in connection with a 2010 demonstration held in protest of the camping ban in Santa Cruz.

Linda Lemaster is charged with misdemeanor illegal lodging for sleeping outside as part of the so-called Peace Camp 2010 protest.

The demonstration began July 4, 2010, as a protest against a city law that makes it an infraction to sleep outside in public spaces from 11 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. The protest began on the steps of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court before moving to Santa Cruz City Hall and ultimately ended on Oct. 2 of that year.

After issuing warnings to those sleeping at the courthouse, sheriff's deputies cited sleeping people using a state law that makes lodging outside a misdemeanor.

Lemaster was among several people arrested in the protest, along with defense attorney Ed Frey and self-proclaimed homeless hacker Christopher Doyon. Frey was sentenced in July to six months in jail on an illegal lodging conviction stemming from the case. Another man, Gary Johnson, was sentenced last year to six months in jail for illegal lodging. Johnson was convicted of the same offense earlier this year after sleeping outside several times in December as a protest against the law.

Lemaster, a longtime advocate for the homeless, is projects facilitator for the Santa Cruz group Housing Now!

Her attorney, Jonathan Che Gettleman, has argued that the illegal lodging law was misused to put an end to the protest and that it violated the constitutional right to assemble peacefully.

Prosecutor Alex Byers was not immediately available for comment Monday.

Follow Sentinel reporter Jessica M. Pasko on Twitter at Twitter.com/jmpasko96