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UID:Indybay-18646999
SEQUENCE:18714853
CREATED:20100505T030100Z
DESCRIPTION:Last week, according to activist and drummer Brent Adams, Sgt. Michael 
 Harms advised drummers that tickers were likely to issue this week from 
 "citizen complaints".  (See "Sgt. Harms Reportedly Issues Ultimatum to the 
 Downtown Drum Circle: at 
 http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/04/28/18646028.php?show_comments=1#18646751)\n\nDrummers 
 decided to confer this week at the Drum Circle to decide what to do.  \n\nI 
 regard the police citation threat as another move on street culture, public 
 space, and political activists that has little to do with substantive legal 
 concerns or even legitimate community concerns.  \n\nDrummers and the 
 community that comes tomorrow will decide what they want to do if police 
 attempt to shut down the Drum Circle.  \n\nI believe the event is an 
 important community gathering place where folks of all classes (but 
 particularly poor people) are welcome.\n\nThe window-breaking vandalism on 
 Saturday night may be used as a convenient pretext to move on this group of 
 non-violent people, who have been doing downtown drumming for over a decade 
 in this general area.\n\nI  fear that any shutdown of the event will impact 
 other musicians and performers downtown.   It will tend to encourage cops 
 who don't respect the law and Constitution as written.  It will dismay and 
 anger others who expect more tolerance for the few cultural activities 
 actually open to poor and homeless people.  \n\nIt may lead some to believe 
 that police and those they front for have no respect for traditional Santa 
 Cruz counterculture.  Such disrespect aggravates tensions downtown between 
 merchants and the street community.  \n\nAt the moment, some have 
 significant sympathy for the merchants in the face of the random and 
 senseless window breaking Saturday night.  Shutting down peaceful drummers 
 aggravates extremists on both sides.     \n\nIf police are not to be seen 
 simply an arm of the merchants, the police must abandon their "get a 
 complaint, order a move-along" procedure.  Police higherup's know--or 
 should know--that this is not what the law is about.\n\nI've written 
 extensively about the misuse of the Unreasonably  Disturbing Noices 
 ordinance elsewhere (See  "The Police Move-Along Mantra" in the longer 
 story "Sinister Street Singers Trials Consolidated and Postponed Until 
 July" at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/04/29/18646105.php).\n\nI 
 encourage community members to come out, witness, and support the Drum 
 Circle--which will be facing increased pressure  from those who feel that 
 all activity in public spaces must cater to the veto of those who dislike 
 the activity.\n\nBring chairs, cameras, vidcams, festive spirits, and 
 friends.\n\nThe Drum Circle itself may not start until later in the 
 afternoon  (last week, Drummer Dave reported that drummers didn't start 
 until Jack's closing time at 4 PM  to respect the possible sensitivities of 
 patrons athere).\n\nBut having witnesses there throughout may ensure that 
 police do not overstep their authority and encourage drummers to  exercise 
 their rights.  A meaningful dialogue and sensible decision is more likely 
 if drummers feel supported.\n\nIt goes without saying that I urge folks to 
 be persistent and peaceful.  \n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/04/18646999.php
SUMMARY:Drum Circle Defense: Confronting the Crackdown
LOCATION:Cedar and Lincoln at the new site of the Drum Circle in the Pearl Alley 
 parking lot across from Jack's under the trees--at least where they've 
 gathered for the last two weeks after having been driven away from their 
 traditional spot in Parking Lot #4 next to the Farmer's Market at Cathcart 
 and Cedar.
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2010/05/04/18646999.php
DTSTART:20100505T210000Z
DTEND:20100506T020000Z
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