Feature Archives

Lawyers for Wes Modes, charged with participating in the 2009 Last Night DIY New Year's Parade, filed a brief with the court that challenges the constitutionality of City of Santa Cruz rules that require permits for first amendment activities, including parades. In the brief, Modes' attorney Jonathan Gettleman argues that the Santa Cruz City law requiring a permit for parade and protests is "an overbroad delegation of authority to government officials to control free speech and assembly."

Josh Hart with Scotts Valley Neighbors Against Smart Meters reports that PG&E continues to install their inaccurate, carcinogenic, and overpriced smart meters onto peoples' homes in Scotts Valley, despite the City and County demanding a halt to any further meter installation. Neighbors are denying access to PG&E contractors, Wellington Energy, and demanding that the CPUC put a halt to this ill-conceived program.

On July 29th, a diverse showing of Santa Cruz, California residents rallied and marched in protest of Arizona's Senate Bill 1070, a legislative act that is said to be the broadest and strictest anti-immigrant measure in decades. The demonstrators proclaimed solidarity with all communities resisting SB 1070, a law they say scapegoats migrants, and also voiced outrage to local police and sheriffs working with the federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within Santa Cruz County neighborhoods and jails.

On Thursday July 22nd at 6pm at the Louden Nelson Center in Santa Cruz, the Resource Center for Nonviolence & the Palestine Israel Action Committee, will host a Gaza teach-in to discuss solidarity with Palestine, including what happened during the Peace Flotilla. Paul Larudee, a co-founder of the Free Gaza Movement to break the Israeli siege of Gaza, will be one of the featured speakers.

Wes Modes returned to Santa Cruz County Court on July 16th. This high-profile infraction case, claimed by supporters as harassment of Modes, a well-known anarchist activist, stems from his alleged participation in the Last Night DIY New Year's parade on December 31st, 2009, as well as a knowledge that the 2009 parade did not receive a permit. A ruling in the case is expected shortly after August 9th.

On July 9th, people gathered at the corner of Pacific Ave. and Cooper St. in downtown Santa Cruz to protest against police murder and the unjust verdict in the trial of Johanes Mehserle, and to express solidarity with protesters in Oakland. About two dozen demonstrators held signs and engaged pedestrians. The demonstration drew reactions from tourists, locals, and the police.

The U.S. District Court in San Jose has thrown out the indictment of four animal rights activists who were charged with violating the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, because the government did not clearly explain what, exactly, the protesters did. The case is not over, however. The government can still re-indict the defendants with an amended bill of particulars that clearly outlines their alleged actions.