Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Getting Through to Groundzero Gary Johnson in Jail
Here's some info on how to contact Gary Johnson, currently being held in the Rountree Jail facility out in Watsonville, which I got by phone today from Diana. Gary was found guilty of "lodging" for peaceful sign-carrying and sleeping at the PeaceCamp2010 demonstration. I think he'd appreciate letters in jail and $ on his books.
Gary's birthday is May 15, 1964 in the event anyone demands to know.
His release date is scheduled for October 31st (not half a month earlier as I'd initially thought).
The address for folks who want to write him is Gary Johnson, S-228822; Rountree Lane Facility; 90 Rountree Lane; Watsonville CA 95076.
If you want to be a visitor, Gary has to request it on an inmate visitor request form which allows for six people, and requires your birthdates and driver license number. So you'd have to write him to get him to do that. Visiting hours are Sunday only 1-3. He's on Unit R.
Folks can still put money on his jail account at the Santa Cruz facility in Santa Cruz--and I think I was told earlier that's 24 hours, though it costs a few dollars to do so, and happens by machine.
If you do so, he can use it to call out, or you can call either 888-888-8413 or 888-506-8407 to establish a phone account. (It's not clear if that willl only help him call you collect, or whether it will help him call out generally).
Gary is one of many who've been jailed, essentially for "being homeless" and either standing up for the right to be left alone or getting caught in the latest homeless-ophobic net. If folks know of others in jail, please post their accounts and contact info.
I'll be playing the usual street interviews and continuing the discussion on my radio show Thursday 6-8 PM and Sundays 9:30 AM to 1 PM. 101.3 FM, streams at http://tunein.com/radio/FRSC-s47254/ . Shows are archived at http://www.huffsantacruz.org under "Latest Shows" of Bathrobespierre's Broadsides.
I also understand that Occupy Santa Cruz Direct Action Working Group is planning to do a candlelight vigil in early September and a renewed campaign against the Sleeping Ban.
His release date is scheduled for October 31st (not half a month earlier as I'd initially thought).
The address for folks who want to write him is Gary Johnson, S-228822; Rountree Lane Facility; 90 Rountree Lane; Watsonville CA 95076.
If you want to be a visitor, Gary has to request it on an inmate visitor request form which allows for six people, and requires your birthdates and driver license number. So you'd have to write him to get him to do that. Visiting hours are Sunday only 1-3. He's on Unit R.
Folks can still put money on his jail account at the Santa Cruz facility in Santa Cruz--and I think I was told earlier that's 24 hours, though it costs a few dollars to do so, and happens by machine.
If you do so, he can use it to call out, or you can call either 888-888-8413 or 888-506-8407 to establish a phone account. (It's not clear if that willl only help him call you collect, or whether it will help him call out generally).
Gary is one of many who've been jailed, essentially for "being homeless" and either standing up for the right to be left alone or getting caught in the latest homeless-ophobic net. If folks know of others in jail, please post their accounts and contact info.
I'll be playing the usual street interviews and continuing the discussion on my radio show Thursday 6-8 PM and Sundays 9:30 AM to 1 PM. 101.3 FM, streams at http://tunein.com/radio/FRSC-s47254/ . Shows are archived at http://www.huffsantacruz.org under "Latest Shows" of Bathrobespierre's Broadsides.
I also understand that Occupy Santa Cruz Direct Action Working Group is planning to do a candlelight vigil in early September and a renewed campaign against the Sleeping Ban.
Add Your Comments
Comments
(Hide Comments)
Please join us in community as we express our sadness and outrage at this campaign of harassment of those who're the most vulnerable.
We will gather at City Hall at 7pm, Friday Sept. 7th
We will hold a circle and share some thoughts before we slowly walk together through town carrying candles and lofting tents above our heads. We'll traverse Pacific Ave, then visit the river levee and then back to City Hall.
We expect to have dixie cup hooded candles but please bring flashlights and tents if you have them.
This is the first step in a new multi-tiered campaign to address the city's criminalization of outside night sleep.
We welcome you to join us.
The City of Santa Cruz has been using the SCPD & the City Parks Dept. to attack homeless camps.
We are in the 7th week of this campaign that has seen more than 300 citations given, more than 100 camps destroyed and personal belongings trashed and more than 150 arrests.
While the Homeless Services Center has closed the Paul Lee Loft shelter the City has offered no other solutions to people who are survival camping in the woods, river levee and downtown.
It is illegal to sleep outside in Santa Cruz btwn 11pm - 8am and it is illegal to lay under a blanket... EVEN IF ONE IS AWAKE!!
Where are these folks supposed to sleep safely and legally?
This situation refuses basic human rights and dignity and in many cases, is patently against the law.
We will gather at City Hall at 7pm, Friday Sept. 7th
We will hold a circle and share some thoughts before we slowly walk together through town carrying candles and lofting tents above our heads. We'll traverse Pacific Ave, then visit the river levee and then back to City Hall.
We expect to have dixie cup hooded candles but please bring flashlights and tents if you have them.
This is the first step in a new multi-tiered campaign to address the city's criminalization of outside night sleep.
We welcome you to join us.
The City of Santa Cruz has been using the SCPD & the City Parks Dept. to attack homeless camps.
We are in the 7th week of this campaign that has seen more than 300 citations given, more than 100 camps destroyed and personal belongings trashed and more than 150 arrests.
While the Homeless Services Center has closed the Paul Lee Loft shelter the City has offered no other solutions to people who are survival camping in the woods, river levee and downtown.
It is illegal to sleep outside in Santa Cruz btwn 11pm - 8am and it is illegal to lay under a blanket... EVEN IF ONE IS AWAKE!!
Where are these folks supposed to sleep safely and legally?
This situation refuses basic human rights and dignity and in many cases, is patently against the law.
For more information:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/08/3...
When I was at Rountree, on a bogus drug conviction that was later overturned, I had to share a communal shower with other inmates every day. What happened in that shower left me with permanent scars. It wasn't a minimum security jail. It was a prison, with all the social perversions that those come with. A pox on Rountree and all that it stands for. Pray for Gary.
Thanks for removing the prior comments. They were leaning towards the crude and insensitive. Momar is a prison acronym for a crude sexual act, and is unfortunately all too common even in local jails. I don't see any reason however to believe, however, that Gary is exposed to this any more or less than any of his fellow inmates. I don't doubt he is capable of looking after himself, even in a communal shower. One learns this stuff pretty quickly in jail and prison.
I'll be praying for Gary in the meantime, and I'll be happy to see him freed October 31st.
I'll be praying for Gary in the meantime, and I'll be happy to see him freed October 31st.
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$225.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network