Feature Archives

Melissa Schott writes, "Peace On The Streets, being a group for only five weeks, was able to organize a community forum that not only discussed the violence on the streets but was able to address the problems our community has been faced with and came up with many solutions. I have never seen such a great crowd where each person cared so much about their surroundings. In little words I would like to admit that I, Melissa Schott, am proud to be one of many in such a progressive group."

Positive Loiterer writes, "When Take Back Santa Cruz first appeared as a response to a gang-related stabbing of a high school student last year, it seemed reasonable enough. Why not have an organization dedicated to making our community safer, largely through encouraging people to spend more time 'positively loitering' in public spaces? Before long, however, it became clear that TBSC had a fairly narrow vision of what safety means, and from whom Santa Cruz should be taken back."

On May 5th, KION Salinas Channel 46, reported on "The Anarchist Profile in Santa Cruz" promising to go in-depth "to really understand and explain the sub-culture of anarchy we have here in Santa Cruz." In the video, KION reporter Brooke Holmquist tries to connect the May Day property destruction to a "gypsy drum circle" at farmer's market, protests at UCSC and SubRosa Cafe.

On Friday, May 28th at 1:30pm in Dept 2 at 701 Ocean St. in the court of Judge Burdick, Free Skool Santa Cruz, Last Night DIY, Trash Orchestra, and SubRosa activist Wes Modes goes on trial for 6 infractions, 5 of them nearly 2 years old, in what appears to be a joint action by D.A. Bob Lee and City Attorney John Barisone. At 12:30pm on the steps of the courthouse, there will be a rally in support of Wes, as well the freedom of assembly and community-generated events.

Four armed deputies attempted to visit SubRosa on May 19th. SubRosa was closed at the time, and the deputies told SubRosa's neighbor that they wanted to talk to staff about "worker's comp issues." One of them was an inspector in the Santa Cruz District Attorney's Office. Apparently, this makes good on the DA's promise to investigate SubRosa for any connection with the May Day property destruction.

After 8 years, 13 locations and over 150 free films to the community, Guerilla Drive-In is being targeted by the Santa Cruz Police. On May 14th, local film The Jesus Factor by Cheri Lovedog, showing under the Soquel Ave bridge, was shutdown by Santa Cruz police officers before it even started. This is the second time in two weeks that the authorities have shut down the screenings.

For the first time in years, the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds is considering having a rodeo. The proposed rodeo will include roping young calves running at full speed and slamming them to the ground, using pain-inflicting flank straps to force horses and bulls to buck, and other methods of inducing fear, stress, and pain to force animals to perform — all in the name of entertainment.