In October, a new law went into effect in the City of Monterey making it illegal to sit or lie on sidewalks in commercial districts. In response, activists staged a sit-in on the sidewalk along Alvarado Street in Downtown Monterey on February 13, and they say they plan to make it a regular event. Individuals with Direct Action Monterey Network (DAMN) organized the demonstration because they believe the law targets individuals without homes, travelers, and the impoverished.

"No person shall sit or lie on a commercial sidewalk or on any object brought or affixed to said sidewalk, from 7:00am until 9:00pm," the new ordinance (Sec. 32-6.2) states. At the demonstration, community members sat on the sidewalk and held protest signs with messages such as "Don't Criminalize Poverty," "Homelessness Is Not A Crime," and "I'll Sit Where I Want!" Many people walking by asked what they were protesting. One person sat down immediately with the group when told their action was in opposition to the new sit-lie law.

Though there was a large contingent of Monterey Police officers monitoring the demonstration, no one was cited for sitting on the sidewalk. The next demonstration against the sit-lie ban is planned to take place on Friday, March 13 at 4pm in front of the Walgreens store on Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey.

Read More with Photos | Direct Action Monterey Network (DAMN)