Support the Santa Cruz 11

In late November 2011, a large rally against corporate greed turned into a three day occupation of a bank building held vacant for many years by Wells Fargo in the downtown core of Santa Cruz, in a stated attempt to turn it into a community center (75 River).

While hundreds of people participated in this occupation, and nobody was recognized as primarily responsible for it, eleven were scapegoated with felony vandalism charges due to their recognizability as long-time community activists.

For four years, these eleven activists were subjected to the torture of the legal system, attending over 50 court appearances and struggling with the implications of being charged with a felony. Some of the activists lost work and work opportunities, others were unable to travel or find housing. Enough is enough.

The remaining four defendants have finally reached a deal with the DA, ending four years of persecution, but their punishment continues as each of them are expected to pay $1,500 in restitution, and $220 in court fees. They have endured enough! It is time for the whole community to stand up and help out. Hundreds of people were in the building. It is unfair for the burden to fall only on the shoulder of only four individuals. Help the Santa Cruz 11 raise $6880 and finally end this struggle.

While no one wants money to go to Wells Fargo, who, according to Bloomberg News, received a total of $878.2 million from the TARP bailout, someone is going to end up paying it, and it shouldn't be the four activists who have already paid so much.

Please show your support the tenets of the Occupy movement and for ambitious community activism, by helping to spread this message and contributing to pay off the legal fines of the Santa Cruz 11. "The people united / will never be divided!"

Support the Santa Cruz 11
https://santacruz11.wordpress.com/

Donate here: http://www.gofundme.com/santacruz11