Cops continue to harrass drum circle

SCPD continues to harrass the longtime drum circle which originated at the Farmer's Market on Wednesdays in downtown Santa Cruz. Earlier this year,city leaders arranged to take over the entire parking lot where drummers communed and played since the mid nineties. It was a gathering place for hippies, musicians, locals and travelers and often mellowed into heartfelt music by nightfall. Critics complained it attracted drunks and drug users and insulted the drummers for being freeform and open to all. THe circle was moved to the levee across from CVS drugstore and a tree was cut down soon after which had provided shade for the drummers. The police come routinely each week to shut down the circle at night and arrest anyone on the sidewalk. Dec. 1 seven cops surrounded the circle and tried to move off a man who said he could not move. The drummers hung tight together and continued to play. Videos can be seen at YouTube under sapiscnn and are seen around the world. A camera stopped police from being rude and it was a victory for those who refused to leave.