RCNV terminates Santa Cruz Infoshop's lease

In a scheduled meeting with an infoshop volunteer, Bob Fitch (RCNV property manager), handed over the letter and informed us that he was terminating our rental agreement and that it was not negotiable. He went on to list a series of complaints about our use of the space, claiming there were two pages of them (though he won't provide us with the list). Bob says that our presence in the space, and 'our smell' is interfering with his ability to rent the adjacent offices. He also explained that if his decision was challenged by a sit-down or occupation of the space, money for all the RCNV's legal fees would be charged to the individual who signed our lease.

We are asking people to call/write Bob and the Resource Center for Nonviolence in support of us keeping the space here, though the situation doesn't look at all hopeful.
RCNV email: information [at] rcnv.org / phone: 831-423-1626
Bob’s email: bobfitch [at] rcnv.org

If we are forced to vacate our space at 509 Broadway, we will do everything we can to start up again in a new location. Anyone who knows of a potential rental situation, or who could share space with us, please get in touch.
One idea is to get a group of people together to start a new co-op house in town, with the infoshop incorporated within it. (in the living room, etc?). The house could be a lively venue for community happenings like open mics, potluck dinners, movie nights, touring events, live music (?), have a wonderful garden and much-needed space for local projects, etc. Of course for a co-op to happen, we need a good house (we could do a lot of fixin' up), and people who are willing to be renters. (or a house we could somehow purchase or use?) Once again, get in touch if you're interested!

We've been located at 509 Broadway for about four months now, and we were just getting settled in. If you haven't been by the infoshop before, please come by and check out the space. We'll still be open seven days a week 3pm-7pm until the end of July. If the infoshop is something you value having in this town, consider helping us find a new location.

Those of you who have library materials checked out, please be sure to return them in the next few weeks. Also, the anarchist lending library will need a temporary home/storage space after we loose ours. (So if anyone really likes to read...)

What is the infoshop?
We house(d) a community lending library, zines and books for sale, a collection of locally foraged herbs and tea for free use, free computer/internet access, meeting space for local groups, and the only existing public center in town to get connected with local radical projects and community. The infoshop has a focus on anarchist theory and analysis towards inspiring direct action with a radical anti-authoritarian critique of the existent social order. We want to make a space that will connect various projects and social cliques and provide a springboard for local action, to create momentum.
We feel that some form of public space like our infoshop is essential to developing a revolutionary community in Santa Cruz, and we are very sad (angry) to be losing our space. But we're not easily discouraged, and if enough people in this big town want it to happen, a new infoshop can take root.


Thanks to anyone who has supported us in these past few months.
And no thanks to the Resource Center for Nonviolence and associated tenants for not even communicating with us about their concerns.

~Infoshop collective
contact us via email - infoshop [at] hushmail.com
or come by the space, at 509 Broadway. (next to the intersection of Broadway & Ocean St.)