In solidarity with those arrested when the Occupy Santa Cruz encampment at San Lorenzo Park was raided by authorities the previous morning, community members held a noise demonstration and rally at the Santa Cruz County Jail on the evening of Friday, December 9th. Approximately 50-75 community members brought percussion instruments and five gallon plastic water jugs and proceeded to drum in mass to communicate to the prisoners inside of the jail that they would not give up support of their cause, and also to show the "compassion and fire" felt for those interned, and to stand strong when faced with police repression locally.

By the time the demonstration began on Friday at the county courthouse, five out of the six arrestees had been released. When initially booked into jail, unusually high bail amounts of $25,000-$50,000 were set for the individuals' who faced basic misdemeanor charges. They were charged with "obstructing an officer" even though some of them were only standing on the sidewalk observing the removal of the Occupy Santa Cruz camp, and moving back when authorities suggested they do so.

Prior to the release of five of the arrestees, suggested support for them included showing up at the arrestees' arraignments at 8am on the morning of Monday, December 12 at the Santa Cruz County Courthouse, in addition to calling SCPD Chief Kevin Vogel: (831) 420-5810 (ask for Kevin Vogel), Zach Friend (police spokesman): (831) 420-5818, and Bob Lee (district attorney): (831) 454-2420. It is unclear whether the person still held in custody will be arraigned on Monday, but one of the five releeased was not given a date to appear.

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See also: Calling Deputies "Puppets"--Cause For Arrest? Updates from the War Zone | previous coverage: Occupy Santa Cruz remains committed despite raid by County sheriffs, City Injunction | Marchers Joined by OSC for Protest and Noisemaking at County Jail