As of yesterday, we learned that for the 5 originally released, initial charges of Obstructing a Police Officer (and Resisting Arrest in one case) were dropped, and they did not face arraignments. There are two caveats, however.
One is that Christina Foster is still in custody and did have her first court hearing on Monday. She will have her next court appearance in Department 7 on Friday (12/16) at 8:15. Please show up to support her if you can! Jail sucks, but being unsupported and in jail is worse.
The second thing that keeps us from breaking out the champagne is that we speculate that the police are preparing a larger investigation that they hope to tie into the unrelated action at 75 River Street, based on comments that the SCPD has made. We are likely going to need to rally support if such a situation should arise, and will need lawyers. So let's stay on our toes, but still continue our lives. If you have any questions or would like to offer some sort of assistance, please email us.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
5 out of 6 OSC Arrestees Released!
Unexpectedly in the last hour, five of the original six people arrested at the raid on Occupy Santa Cruz were released, with seemingly pending charges. The sixth person (Christina) is being worked on, but it seems as if there might be some extenuating circumstances in that case. Updates to follow.
UPDATE: All those arrested still face charges, and will have their first court appearance early on Monday morning.
All of those released were told nothing about the state of their charges, but it does appear as if there is a continuing investigation by the Santa Cruz Police. Many of those arrested who carried cell phones had their SIM cards removed and entered into a machine, ostensibly to scan for names, numbers and messages. If there is a larger investigation, it is extremely important to continue our support- legal and otherwise- so that we are prepared for what might be to come.
On that note! The Noise Demonstration is still on for this evening! (see post below for further information) Meet at 5pm at the courthouse steps on Water Street and let's continue the momentum!
UPDATE: All those arrested still face charges, and will have their first court appearance early on Monday morning.
All of those released were told nothing about the state of their charges, but it does appear as if there is a continuing investigation by the Santa Cruz Police. Many of those arrested who carried cell phones had their SIM cards removed and entered into a machine, ostensibly to scan for names, numbers and messages. If there is a larger investigation, it is extremely important to continue our support- legal and otherwise- so that we are prepared for what might be to come.
On that note! The Noise Demonstration is still on for this evening! (see post below for further information) Meet at 5pm at the courthouse steps on Water Street and let's continue the momentum!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
EMERGENCY NOISE DEMO: Tomorrow 5pm
Meet at the Courthouse steps on Water St. at 5pm.
Thursday morning, six people were arrested during the eviction of the Occupy Santa Cruz camp. Charged with only a single misdemeanor each, bail amounts were at least $25,000. Arrestees decided that it was an inappropriate use of our resources to post bonds and arraignments are scheduled for Monday. Our comrades will be stuck in jail until Monday.
Tomorrow night, people will march to the jail to show noisy solidarity with the arrestees. Please tell your friends about this event. Bring noisemakers.
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TARGET THE CHIEF OF POLICE. Police Chief Kevin Vogel has been actively targeting participants with different Occupation actions in Santa Cruz. He wants to paralyze us with large police mobilizations, threat of arrest and surveillance. Let's turn it back on him by crippling his communication lines. Make sure you call the following numbers and ask Vogel what the hell he was thinking:
(831) 420-5810 (ask for Kevin Vogel)
AND THE FOLLOWING.
Zach Friend (police spokesman): (831) 420-5818
Bob Lee (district attorney): (831) 454-2420
Main Jail (release our friends!) (831) 454-2420
Thursday morning, six people were arrested during the eviction of the Occupy Santa Cruz camp. Charged with only a single misdemeanor each, bail amounts were at least $25,000. Arrestees decided that it was an inappropriate use of our resources to post bonds and arraignments are scheduled for Monday. Our comrades will be stuck in jail until Monday.
Tomorrow night, people will march to the jail to show noisy solidarity with the arrestees. Please tell your friends about this event. Bring noisemakers.
 | |
| Photo from previous noise demonstration (in early October) in solidarity with the hunger strike at Pelican Bay State Prison. Let's make this one bigger! |
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| Handout from the Solidarity Noise Demo action. |
TARGET THE CHIEF OF POLICE. Police Chief Kevin Vogel has been actively targeting participants with different Occupation actions in Santa Cruz. He wants to paralyze us with large police mobilizations, threat of arrest and surveillance. Let's turn it back on him by crippling his communication lines. Make sure you call the following numbers and ask Vogel what the hell he was thinking:
(831) 420-5810 (ask for Kevin Vogel)
AND THE FOLLOWING.
Zach Friend (police spokesman): (831) 420-5818
Bob Lee (district attorney): (831) 454-2420
Main Jail (release our friends!) (831) 454-2420
Donations urgently requested!
Six people are currently being held in jail after this morning's raid on Occupy Santa Cruz. Arrestees are each being held on $25,000 bail (one exception being held on $50,000) for Obstructing a Police Officer- a minor charge given the outrageously high bail.
Since police and the city are trying to create connections between these people (and others) to the building takeover at 75 River Street, it is unclear how long these six will be held on false pretenses. Arraignment will be held as early as Monday, December 12th, at which time they may or may not be released from custody.
These people urgently need support! There will undoubtedly be court and lawyer fees, along with the possibility of posting bail, so please donate to the legal support fund, which can be done at: http://www.wepay.com/donate/osc
Since police and the city are trying to create connections between these people (and others) to the building takeover at 75 River Street, it is unclear how long these six will be held on false pretenses. Arraignment will be held as early as Monday, December 12th, at which time they may or may not be released from custody.
These people urgently need support! There will undoubtedly be court and lawyer fees, along with the possibility of posting bail, so please donate to the legal support fund, which can be done at: http://www.wepay.com/donate/osc
Mainstream News Article Regarding Arrests
SANTA CRUZ - Nine weeks after Occupy Santa Cruz protesters set up camp in San Lorenzo Park to protest economic disparity and other social issues, police in riot gear swept through the camp and cleared out the remaining handful of campers just after dawn Thursday.
"It's going to be a pleasure to return this park to the community," said Police Chief Kevin Vogel. "I'm ecstatic about this."
"It's going to be a pleasure to return this park to the community," said Police Chief Kevin Vogel. "I'm ecstatic about this."
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