On May 13th, a huge mob of cyclists rolled peacefully through the streets of Santa Cruz after a 6pm convergence at the Clock Tower. Bikers spanned city blocks in the right lane of Mission Street to raise awareness about California Vehicle Code Section 21202, cyclists may use the full right lane when the lane "is too narrow for a bicycle to safely ride to the side of a motor vehicle." Many people wore yellow shirts with a figure of a bike and the words "MAY USE FULL LANE cvc 21202" as they rode westbound on Mission, up Bay, east on King St. and down to the City Council meeting at 7pm.

City Hall was packed with bikers, many of whom spoke eloquently about their experiences on Mission St. and other dangerous routes, including Seabright Avenue. People Power, a local bicycle advocacy organization, declared their support for City Council to request signs from CalTrans for Mission with a figure of a bike and the words "MAY USE FULL LANE." Read More and View Photos

see also: The Ride of Silence on May 21st

There is a story that the UCSC tour guides still occasionally tell about the founding UCSC Chancellor Dean McHenry: Allegedly, during initial construction in 1964, any tree on campus over 12 inches in diameter had to have the chancellor's personal approval before it could be cut. In the construction of the road to the small parking lot behind the main library, there was a spot where the road was squeezed between a second growth redwood and a steep bank. The construction crew and campus planners asked the chancellor for approval to cut the tree, and he allegedly refused and told them to find another way. Thus there is still a timed red traffic light on the road to the library behind the art center.

The main library was named after the first chancellor and became the McHenry Library. Dean McHenry died in 1998. He didn't live to see the massive expansion of the library named after him. Read More and View Photos

see also: Santa Cruz Tree-Sit, Call for Upstairs Guests

Marciano Cruz was born in Oaxaca, Mexico. For over 20 years, Marciano, also known as Chango, has been working to improve the lives of people in the greater Santa Cruz community. He is currently a staff member at the Resource Center for Nonviolence (RCNV). On May 11th, Marciano received the “Most Caring Coach Award” by USA Weekend. He is being honored for his work as founder, chief organizer and president of La Liga de La Comunidad, a countywide soccer league for youth and adults.

On May 12th, Marciano was recognized with "Marciano Cruz Day" in the city of Santa Cruz and received a Mayor's Proclamation from Ryan Coonerty during a celebration in the parking lot of the RCNV. Marciano was also presented with resolutions from John Laird of the California State Assembly and Joe Simitian of the California State Senate. In addition to his time and dedication to La Liga de La Comunidad, Marciano also enjoys surfing with his friends and helping kids learn how to surf safely with proper gear. The Beach Flats Community Garden, which is now blooming with new growth, began with the vision and dedication of Marciano and some of his friends from the neighborhood. Read More and View Photos

On May 5th, Foster Gamble and the Economic Action Team of the California Alliance to Stop the Spray (C.A.S.S.), released a forty page report on the economic impact to the state of California in response to the CDFA/USDA plan to spray multiple California counties with a micronized concoction of synthetic “pheromone” and chemicals to "eradicate" the Light Brown Apple Moth – a moth with zero history of causing crop damage anywhere in the world.

C.A.S.S. has uncovered several segments of the California economy that will sustain heavy negative impact if the spraying program goes forward. These include the areas of tourism, real estate and organic farming, among others. The report shows that the expected losses in these areas will dwarf the financial losses the CDFA claims big California agri-business will incur if the moth is not eradicated. Read More and Download the Report

see also: Debunking Moth Myths: UC Scientists Speak Out | LBAM Takes San Francisco | California Alliance to Stop the Spray | LBAMspray.com

Donna Deiss Yovino writes, "At Santa Cruz parking lot A on West Cliff Drive, on Friday May 9, 2008, Sgt. C LeMoss twisted and broke the right humurus arm bone of a 60 year old disabled woman for entering her RV and attempting to close the door.

"Sgt. LeMoss badge # 114 of the Santa Cruz PD appeared suddenly at Lot A on West Cliff Drive wearing all black in an unmarked car ~5:30 PM on Friday May 9 in front of a random group of homeless and others. He said he wanted to talk to everyone and his attitude was extremely repugnant and mean. I am a friend to the the kids that hang out here and try to be a good friend and role model as this lot has been the last place of refuge for many youth who have been routinely detained and harrassed in downtown Santa Cruz. I am 60 years old and a permanently disabled marine pipefitter. My disabilities include lower back, hip surgery 1 and a half years ago, chronic depression, arthritis and bone spurs in my neck and left knee, as well as a broken left femur. I am known as an activist in the Santa cruz community regarding tenants rights and homelessness." Read More and View Photos

see also: 60 Year Old Homeless Woman Says Police Broke Her Arm

On the heels of University of California's ongoing executive pay scandals, UC's Administration is once again being denounced for misplaced priorities. For ten months, 20,000 UC medical and service workers have been trying to protect quality patient care and CA communities, reporting that lack of competitive wages is impacting the University's ability to retain its best staff. After ten months of negotiating for equal pay for equal work, they have reached impasse, and the workers announced they will take a strike vote, running from May 17th-May 22nd. A press conference will be held on May 23rd to announce the results.

According to CA State-appointed neutral Factfinder Carol Vendrillo, who independently evaluated the viability of a service workers' labor agreement, "U.C. has demonstrated the ability to increase compensation when it fits with certain priorities without any demonstrable link to a state funding source... It is time for UC to take a broader view of its priorities by honoring the important contribution that service workers make to the U.C. community and compensating them with wages that are in line with the competitive market rate." Read More

Robert Norse writes, "Donna Deiss called in last night to report that yesterday (May 9th) around 5pm, Officer La Moss (Badge #114) assaulted her, broke her arm, and then put her in handcuffs when he attempted to question her at "Three Tree Lot" near Lighthouse Field. Deiss was taken to the Watsonville hospital, where she waited hours for x-rays, which confirmed her arm was broken. Deiss reported the following to me in a phone message last night and an e-mail this morning:

"She was talking with friends yesterday on Westcliffe Drive near her RV. An undercover police officer, whom she later identified as Officer La Moss, arrived in a black unmarked car and said he wanted to talk to her and others in the group. She read La Moss a statement from the ACLU about the rights of community members vis a vis the police and walked to her RV.

"The cop followed her. She got in and tried to close the door. Le Moss, not saying she was under arrest or detained, reached in and grabbed her right arm, pinching the skin as he twisted it behind her back, breaking it. She screamed her arm was broken, but his response was to call for backup. 4 more police cars arrived. She continued screaming for 911 and finally paramedics showed up." Read More

see related stories: Harassment of Homeless in RVs, a Letter from Donna Deiss || Superintendant Hammack Stonewalls on RV Ban in Coastal Parking Lots || Coastal Access Denied to Motorhomes and Trailers in Santa Cruz || Struggling on the Street

danielsan writes, "This news show airs weekly on Freak Radio, Friday mornings 10-12 noon, broadcasting news and opinion from independent media worldwide, focused on indymedia sites but also drawing from other websites. On the 5.9.08 indynewswire:

"An interview with Katherine Redmond of the National Coalition Against Violent Athletes (NCAVA) on the De Anza Rape Case, closed last week by the CA attorney General Jerry Brown's office, citing lack of evidence. An extremely disturbing case, and an even more disturbing response from the Santa Clara County DA and the state AG. More than a year later, Katherine Redmond discusses this and other cases nationwide.

"Lakeside Organics: yes, local and organic, but labor exploitative. Detention Centers are the new Indian Schools. Eric McDavid was sentenced to nearly 20 years. A look at the calendar: today is John Brown's 208th Birthday! Celebrate with a weekend of direct action." Read More and Listen to Audio

Unconventional Action Santa Cruz writes, "Continued wars, housing foreclosures and ecological crises have proven that neither docile street marches nor electoral campaigns will solve the problems plaguing our daily lives. We can only have leverage over our rulers by showing our own power, and we must back our demands by demonstrating that we can interfere with their business as effectively as they interfere with our lives.

"Santa Cruz! People are gathering at Zami Co-op on Saturday, May 10th for an exciting chance to develop skills and social bonds for direct action of all kinds. This will be an opportunity for people to deepen their local connections and strategize for a variety of campaigns, including this summer’s Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

"Workshops include: Medic Training, Affinity Groups, Self-Defense, Knowing your Rights, and Tricks n Tools of Direct Action. We will also be practicing our new found skills on Sunday, location TBA." Get the Flyer

Unconventional Action | DNC Disruption 08 | RNC Welcoming Committee

May 7th marks the 6th month anniversary of the tree-sit on Science Hill at UC Santa Cruz, and of the two-month ground occupation which was born in torn fencing and broken police lines. The tree-sit has been a continuous act of resistance against the University's expansion plans, including a Biomedical Sciences Facility at the site of the tree-sit and the development of over 120 acres of Upper Campus' redwood and chaparral.

Supporters of the tree-sit say, "May 7th will be just another day of routine, unless you act on your own initiative to make something happen. If you consider the tree-sit worthy of celebration, do something to celebrate--other people can't celebrate for you. Any time during the day is good to stop by, say hi, send food up."

There will be a gathering at 8pm underneath the tree-sit for an open-ended collective celebration. People are encouraged to bring food to share, candles for lighting, games to play, music, ideas... Read More and View Photos

previous coverage: Standoff with Police as Activists Occupy Redwoods to Oppose UCSC Expansion (11/7/07) || Santa Cruz Community Supports Tree-sitters (11/16/07) || Winter Break at the UCSC Tree-sit (12/19/07) || Police Attack Cop Watcher at Science Hill Tree-sit (1/10/08) || Judge Rules that University Violated First Amendment Rights (3/10/08) || Interview with Owl, a Tree-Sitter at the Science Hill Tree-Sit (3/20/08)

On April 24th and 25th, Centolia Maldonado Vasquez and Bernardo Ramirez Bautista, Oaxaca-based members of the Binational Front of Indigenous Organizations, gave presentations in Greenfield and at UC Santa Cruz on indigenous Mexican migration to the U.S. and its impact in the communities of origin, the current political situation in Oaxaca, the role of women in the movement for social justice in Oaxaca, and current challenges of indigenous governing community institutions in Oaxaca.

The mission of the Binational Front of Indigenous Organizations (FIOB - Frente Indigena de Organizaciones Binacionales) is to contribute in the development and self-determination of migrant and non-migrant indigenous communities, as well as to struggle for the defense of human rights with justice and gender equity at the binational level. Read More with Audio and Photos

The Santa Cruz Film Festival welcomes independent filmmakers, musicians, and artists to Santa Cruz for a 9-day celebration of film and culture May 9-17. The Santa Cruz Film Festival is a growing international festival that fosters cross cultural exchange by screening independent films and producing multi-disciplined art events throughout the year.

This year's films stir the soul and contemplate the BIG picture, from war and oil to the meaning of life. The Festival kicks-off May 9th at the Del Mar Theatre with "One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Jack Kerouac's Big Sur." The film explores Kerouac's final and critically praised book Big Sur with the family of fellow beat-ster Neal Cassady. Other films in this year's festival include Les Paul--Chasing Sound, Programming the Nation?, Ripple Effect, Fields of Fuel and 140 other films that consider The BIG Picture. Read More

Farm Sanctuary, which operates the largest rescue and refuge network for farm animals in North America, and Animal Place, a nonprofit sanctuary for abused and discarded farmed animals, have responded to a call from Santa Cruz Animal Services and are coming to the aid of 14 neglected animals confiscated from a Watsonville slaughterhouse on May 1st.

The rescued animals—12 goats, one cow and one sheep—were discovered at the Lee Road slaughter facility on May 1st by Todd Stosuy of Santa Cruz Animal Services, when he noticed a cow with a bloody horn from the road and initiated an investigation. Stosuy said that in addition to the injured cow, he found 12 very ill, malnourished goats with overgrown, rotted hoofs, as well as several other animals who would have perished if he had not intervened. Upon returning to the facility on May 3rd, Stosuy seized eight more goats and another sheep whose health had deteriorated since his last visit; the sanctuaries and Animal Services are arranging placement of these animals. According to Stosuy, all of the rescued animals were either acquired by the owner at auction or raised on the property and were to be hand-picked by and slaughtered for local customers. Read More

Farm Sanctuary | Animal Place | Californians for Humane Farms | NoDowners.org

Thirty-eight years ago, on May 4, 2008, at Ohio’s Kent State University, the National Guard opened fire on students protesting the US war in Vietnam. The students were shot from distances of 275 to 400 feet, giving lie to claims that the students posed a threat to the Guardsmen. Four students were murdered and nine were injured. Nobody ever did time for those murders.

Before May 4, 1970, an anti-war movement had been building in the United States. The American people were increasingly impatient with the war, and an active anti-war movement helped build that kind of consciousness. People wanted an end to the war and Nixon kept promising a “light at the end of the tunnel.” On April 30, 1970, Nixon announced the invasion of Cambodia. This was the opposite of what people wanted to hear. Protests erupted on campuses that had not had them in the past, like Kent State. For many, the cold blooded murder of students at Kent State and murders of students soon after at Jackson State, were the final straw. Read More

The Movement for Immigrant Rights Alliance (M.I.R.A.) is a coalition of UC Santa Cruz students, community members, and diverse organizations working together to build a unified voice for people with migrant backgrounds, particularly those labeled undocumented. M.I.R.A. aims to raise public awareness about the rights and living conditions of immigrants who are continuously attacked and dehumanized by corporate media and public policy. Through dialogue, action, and reflection, M.I.R.A. strives to create a movement for human rights that transcends man-made borders.

M.I.R.A. called for a rally at UCSC and march to Santa Cruz on May 1st, May Day, to demand the DREAM Act be passed in the U.S., a stop to ICE raids, the construction of a day laborer center in Santa Cruz, a fair contract for AFSCME workers and an end to the militarization of borders. Photos: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Video

Hundreds of families, students and workers participated in May Day activities in Watsonville which included free legal consultations, a rally in the plaza with speakers, musicians, face painting and a brinkolin (jump house) for kids. Homemade signs stated, human rights start with immigrants, legalization now, end the war, we are not criminals, fuck Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), let's help people!, yes we can, and asked the fundamental question, "Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" Photos: 1 | 2

see also: May Day attack on santa cruz McDonald's | May Day, 420, & the Election - An Editorial | ATMs Attacked In Solidarity With Olympia Rioters

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