Free Radio Santa Cruz Announces September Activist of the Month

In my opinion, Ed Frey sabotaged the PeaceCamp2010 legal effort and continues to sabotage the PeaceCamp21011/12 legal effort.

In my opinion, Ed Frey abused the homeless community in a cynical attempt to further his 2010 political campaign. His campaign failed, and he failed to do anything but win an ankle bracelet (while those without ankle bracelet $ went to jail, or fled).

In my opinion, there weren't any complaints from women about harassment at the PeaceCamp2011/12 protests because there weren't any women present that could be harassed. Sadly, Ed was not alone in that behavior.

In my opinion, whomever nominated Ed for this award ignores the suffering of those that challenged an unjust law with active protest, and that nominator should be ashamed (especially if they knew the facts at the time of the nomination, and if it was who I think it was, they knew, yet another betrayal). This award smells a lot like Ryan Coonerty's 'hammer of justice' award; just as cynical, just as political, just as empty.

In my opinion, Ed's only 'win' thus far has been procedural trivia. The local 'appellate' is little more than a rubber stamp upholding local rulings. Three judges instead of two judges holding that rubber stamp is somehow 'compelling'?!

No. Compelling is wining a meaningful appeal on points of substance. Compelling is winning a meaningful appeal that can be cited by others being persecuted. Compelling is giving a fuck about those that are subjected to whimsical, unjust laws EVERY NIGHT.

There are others working to achieve such wins. Their chances look good. No thanks to Ed.

Perhaps someone can get Ed to explain his failure to do so. Perhaps someone can get Ed to explain his willful neglect. Perhaps someone can get Ed to explain why he is so happy to ride the PR, and yet so unwilling to take responsibility for his cynical capitalization of the suffering of others.

whatever Ed's motivations or abilities, the peacecamp protest and Ed's legal argument about harassment led to Barisone instituting the waiting list automatic ticket dismissal ordinance. a big practical win for the homeless. in fact, i can't think of any comparable single achievement for the homeless in the last 5 years.
unfortunately the peacecamp legal case was sabotaged when the protesters ignored Ed's planned 8 am to 8 pm daily break in the protest to allow park maintenance. also Ed is the last person i would suspect to be the source of the social pressure to stay and get tickets at peacecamp.

Ed also bought Occupy a couple extra weeks by shifting the City's case into federal court.

finally in the case here, where Ed is donating his time again, Ed could still distinguish Gary's case from Clark v CCNV or get 647e declared unconstitutionally vague in federal court.
and would a public defender have filed the Writ?
i doubt it.

Actually, if I recall correctly, Ed was the victim of social pressure. To take a ticket. In order to maintain 'cred' at PeaceCamp2010. He did NOT like being in jail, and got out as soon as he could. Which I found confusing, given his time wasting and habit of continuances, when he wasn't in jail and others were, like me.

Ed was campaigning for office during the PeaceCamp2010 protest. I was even asked by Ed, at the time (at the prompting of his wife), if his combining the two was seen as offensive.

Kinda like the Pleich-hustle during recent cycles.

As for blocking maintenance, that is a silly. They did plenty of maintenance during the PeaceCamp2010 protest. They enjoyed turning on the sprinklers at all hours. They enjoyed using the leaf blowers (even, infamously, blowing a little dog at City Hall). They could do whatever they liked, whenever they liked. The time/place/manner ruse is just that, a ruse. Look to Ferguson for a recent extreme example: no standing still.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2014/10/06/judge-injunction-ferguson-police/16835217/

Would a Santa Cruz 'dump truck' have done any better? I don't know, the one I talked to said it was completely hopeless because the laws had been stacked against the homeless years ago. Would the outcome have been any different, even with no lawyers at all? Surely the jury and judge may have been less upset, and the sentencing less severe, as Ed's courtroom anticts were a laughing stock, even among supporters. As was his legal strategy, which was also offensive, even among supporters. Perhaps even YOU (assuming a functional memory).

Will Ed do anything, other than seek out more opportunities to make 'final scene' courtroom speeches? He has certainly had enough opportunities to do so. And he has more opportunities, now that PeaceCamp2011/12 will be reheard in the Santa Cruz appellate. Will he bother?

I doubt it.

That's why Ed's 'hammer of justice' award is so offensive. It is all fine and good to cheer on the 'bad boys', as long as SOMEONE ELSE ENDS UP IN JAIL. Well, if Ed ever hits the ball in court, I'll be among those praising his victory. Until then, please refrain from expecting me to STFU while others praise his empty acts of misbehavior, that get him some ink and misplaced 'cred', at the expense of others.