As Cops Handcuff Artists on Pacific, Freedom SleepOut #41 Raises Its Sleepy Head

BACK TO THE BRICKS
In spite of internal disputes, activists will return to City Hall today (Tuesday 4-19) to challenge impervious and abusive City Hall authority backing the endless low-intensity War Against the Homeless.

Instead the homeless remain outside--the target of police, security guards, and NIMBY's who use them. They are free, even encouraged, to harass those without shelter under the City's Sleeping Ban (MC 6.36.010a), the "Closed Spaces" ordinance (MC 13.04.011), and other laws designed to make Santa Cruz a "less welcoming place" to the poor.

More info at http://freedomsleepers.org/index.php/actionsevents/ .With the closing of the Winter Armory Shelter earlier this month, there is no walk-in emergency shelter whatsoever and getting on the River St. Shelter waiting list is the only option. To do that, call 831-459-6644. Ask to be put on the waiting list (even if you only reach a recording).

Even if you have no intention of ever going in the shelter, signing up is a good idea (and has to be renewed ever three days by phone). Citations given under MC 6.36 must be automatically dismissed by the City Attorney short of court according to MC 6.36.055. Section A of that law also states " A person shall not be in violation of this chapter if, at the time of his or her citation for a violation of this chapter, either: the winter shelter at the Santa Cruz National Guard Armory is filled to capacity; or the person is currently on the waiting list for shelter service through one of the shelter programs offered by the Homeless Services Center or the River Street Shelter in Santa Cruz."


EARLIER READ AND FEED
Food and flyers will be available earlier in the afternoon with Food Not Bombs organizer Keith McHenry and local FNBers. There's no regular City Council meeting until April 26th when the Vanish the Vendors ordinance will reappear [See https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/04/11/18785162.php] . McHenry feels it's important to maintain a persistent presence at City Hall to remind the community that it's the people not the politicians who are the legitimate authority.

Scott Collins, Assistant City Manager and one of the movers and shakers of the proposed VtV law, has not yet responded to questions about the law or agreed to meet.


BUMRUSHING BLUE BRACKET ARTISTS
Meanwhile last Saturday, two street artists were arrested and hauled away in handcuffs after refusing to sign their citations, as they had previously done in the past. [See "Pigs Repress Free Speech on Pacific" at https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/04/16/18785295.php]. It was unclear whether the initial charge was "refusing to move along after an hour" or "displaying outside the blue boxes"--the small segregated segments of the sidewalk set aside for public use, with the rest reserved for commercial activity. In violation, of course, of the public right to use the sidewalk for a broad range of purposes.

Alex Skeleton and Joff had previously won a trial against being "outside the blue boxes" [the bracketed and/or dotted areas on Pacific Ave. that "allow" artist activity]. They have been displaying and selling their artwork downtown for the last 9 months with no threats of citation recently. For more extensive background: https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/04/16/18785295.php?show_comments=1#18785363 .

More info at http://freedomsleepers.org/index.php/actionsevents/ .

SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO SLEEP, THE RIGHT TO USE PUBLIC SPACE, AND THE RIGHT TO BASIC DIGNITY FOR EVERYONE. KEEP THE PRESSURE ON CITY HALL. THE RIGHT TO SLEEP IS THE RIGHT TO LIVE.