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Indybay Feature

Older Homeless Man Reports Being Driven Out Into the Rain Friday

by Robert Norse
Craig Canada, a homeless blogger [http://www.palmspringsbum.com/blog/], reported yesterday by phone that during the heavy rain two SCPD officers drove him out from under the eaves of the flower shop on Cathcart between Pacific and Cedar Sts into the foul weather.
Canada has faced discrimination at the Homeless Services Center, he reports, because of his disability and sexuality. Last year he had problems securing his property, after having been banned from the lot at 115 Coral St. for protesting homophobic remarks. It took HUFF workers many phone contacts and personal visits to get Ken Cole's management to release his property.

He has also fought discrimination at other cafes, restaurants, and stores (Lulu Carpenter's, Cafe Pergolesi, Pizza My Heart, and Long's). Some of these struggles are recounted on one of my recent radio shows (http://www.radiolibre.org/brb/brb073012.mp3 --in the second half of the show).

Canada's struggle with the Sleeping Ban and the Drug War can be found at http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/01/18450882.php ("Contaminated Courts? The Strange Case of Craig Canada, Homeless Medical Marijuana Patient")

He has taken some cell phone pictures of the officers involved which he will post as soon as his computer dries out.

If others have seem similar incidents, please post them here or contact HUFF at 423-4833.
§Craig Canada's own commentary on the situation.
by Craig Canada (posted by Norse)
Below is the text of Craig's post; the full post is available at http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=15439



Pergolesi was probably about the last place to close in town, after the power went out. They closed about noon, best I can recall. When the storm was still at it's height.

I made it to the awning of the flower shop on the next block, and resolved to stay there until things cleared up.

I hadn't eaten, and I remember wondering how long it would be before the power was on and I could eat.

I was just finishing a bowl when a someone shouted something from a passing car. They said, "Is that medical" and showed me a badge. I said yes.

They stopped got out, and informed me I was on private property.

They told me it was illegal to smoke in public and to do it in private.

I told them it wasn't.

They ran an ID check on me. I got out my paperwork, but they didn't want to see that.

The whole point was to run me out in the rain.

So I hope you will help me salute these heroes of the storm:

And let's also salute Ryan Koonerty and the City Council and the Downtown Association, who have lead Santa Cruz to surpasse the Old South in downright cruelty and meanness.
§"Stormy Weather" Cops IDed
by Robert Norse
The officers pictured in Craig's description (on the Sentinel forums) are Sgt. Loran Baker in photo 1, Officer Mike Hedley in photo 2, and Baker in the foreground, Hedley in the background in photo 3, I believe.

I hope to get a longer description of this incident from Craig Canada for a future radio show. Baker and Hedley, of course, are free to reply.

§Storm 1
by Storm 1
storm_1.jpg
§Storm 2
by Storm 2
storm_2.jpg
§Storm 3
by Storm 3
storm_3.jpg
Add Your Comments
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TITLE
AUTHOR
DATE
Ben
Sat, Jan 19, 2008 2:01PM
Robert Norse
Thu, Jan 17, 2008 8:50PM
Ben
Tue, Jan 15, 2008 12:42PM
Robert Norse
Fri, Jan 11, 2008 5:13AM
Gwendolynne
Wed, Jan 9, 2008 6:10PM
Ben
Wed, Jan 9, 2008 4:54PM
Gary G
Wed, Jan 9, 2008 4:47PM
Why ARGUE?
Tue, Jan 8, 2008 1:39PM
tired of robert
Tue, Jan 8, 2008 1:13PM
Robert Norse
Tue, Jan 8, 2008 10:29AM
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