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Santa Offers Hugs, Hot Chocolate, Cookies and Clothing in Santa Cruz
On Sunday, December 20th, Santa was hanging out at the corner of Pacific and Soquel in downtown Santa Cruz offering hugs, hot cocoa, cookies, conversation and warm clothing to passers-by. Many people were receptive and appreciative of Santa's kind spirit and the elf giving out cocoa and cookies.
Several people inquired about the motivation behind Santa and the elf, assuming there was an organization or cause seeking publicity and donations. However, the motivation was solidarity and mutual aid within the community, and it was accomplished through direct action. There was no involvement, or ulterior motives, from any charity, non-profit or civic organization.
Several people inquired about the motivation behind Santa and the elf, assuming there was an organization or cause seeking publicity and donations. However, the motivation was solidarity and mutual aid within the community, and it was accomplished through direct action. There was no involvement, or ulterior motives, from any charity, non-profit or civic organization.
The event announcement on the Santa Cruz Indymedia calendar states,
"Santa Cruz has a complicated relationship with homeless people. Recently there has been a movement to rid downtown of these folks in time for the holiday shopping season. This comes as the rainy season has hit and the temperatures have dropped below freezing on a couple of nights. It is illegal to sleep outside (tickets are plentiful) and rangers trash homeless' belongings when camps in wooded areas are discovered. The excessive amount of tickets written to homeless folks downtown sends the message that they are not welcome. Santa Love would like to send the message that they are welcome and loved."
Photos by Bradley, http://bradleystuart.net
"Santa Cruz has a complicated relationship with homeless people. Recently there has been a movement to rid downtown of these folks in time for the holiday shopping season. This comes as the rainy season has hit and the temperatures have dropped below freezing on a couple of nights. It is illegal to sleep outside (tickets are plentiful) and rangers trash homeless' belongings when camps in wooded areas are discovered. The excessive amount of tickets written to homeless folks downtown sends the message that they are not welcome. Santa Love would like to send the message that they are welcome and loved."
Photos by Bradley, http://bradleystuart.net
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one of the most powerful things out there in my opinion is participatory citizenship. and not to any institution or affiliated political system on brand name government. but to the global community... of which none of us can be homeless... at least not as of yet. but so many people feel alienated from this planet for so many reasons... it is nice to see santa stepping up to his role, an ambassador of good will and generosity and not just a scape goat spokesman of consumer culture gone holiday binging...
For more information:
http://ed4change.com
Brrr-rent & Brrr-radly-
You 2 ROCK!!!
You take Santarchy to a deeper, more profound level.
ROCK-ON!!!
Mark is accurate and eloquent in his comments- Beyond "participatory citizenship" I'd say this Santa Cruz Santa is applying direct, compassionate action (and true, non-hierarchical Democracy). Santa is a true socialist in the best sense of the word (why else would he wear so much red?) he's been co-opted by corporate consumer culture and it's time we take him back!
C U in the streets!
You 2 ROCK!!!
You take Santarchy to a deeper, more profound level.
ROCK-ON!!!
Mark is accurate and eloquent in his comments- Beyond "participatory citizenship" I'd say this Santa Cruz Santa is applying direct, compassionate action (and true, non-hierarchical Democracy). Santa is a true socialist in the best sense of the word (why else would he wear so much red?) he's been co-opted by corporate consumer culture and it's time we take him back!
C U in the streets!
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