🚀 go-pugleaf

----- Forwarded Message -----

Drum Circle Defense 3:30 PM Wednesday September 17th

Monday, September 15, 2008 2:27 PM
From: "Robert Norse" <rnorse3@hotmail.com>
To: emphatha2@comcast.net

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/09/15/18538444.php

Title:	 Keeping Public Spaces Public
START DATE:	 Wednesday September 17
TIME:	 3:30 PM	 -	 6:30 PM
Location Details:
In parking lot #4 at Cedar and Cathcart--the lot next to the
WednesdayFarmer's Market. At the traditional spot used by the
community drummersfor the last 10 years under the trees.
Event Type:	 Party/Street Party
Contact Name	Robert Norse
Email Address	rnorse3 [at] hotmail.com
Phone Number
Address
Come defend the weekly community gathering from police and
politicalharassment. Food Not Bombs regularly fed there--except on
September3rd--when police staked out the area and dispersed the
participants.

HUFF (Homeless United for Friendship & Freedom) will be petitioning
and copwatching there.

A description of last week's successful restoration of public space
can be found at:
'Victory at Parking Lot #4 -- The beat goes on!'
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/09/11/18536533.php

A series of excellent photographs of the restored Drum Circle
(withsupportive Trash Orchestra, Raging Grannies, community supporter
JoeSchultz, and budget-busting SCPDsters) can be found at
'Keeping Santa Cruz Weird: Is Drumming a Crime?'
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/09/11/18536737.php

More background on issues and information about Mayor Coonerty's 15
Minute Parking Lot Panic law can be found at
'Trash Orchestra to Defend Drummers from SCPD'
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/09/09/18534554.php
and
'Blueshirts Erase Drum Circle: New Ban on Public Assembly Near
Farmer's Market'
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/09/05/18533487.php

Bring cameras, camcorders, audio recorders, and friends.

It is possible but unlikely that police will attempt to cite people
forsimply being in the parking lot under the Parking Lot Panic Law.

The text of the law can be found at:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/09/11/18536737.php?show_comments=1#18538400

In this case, police must prove you DON'T have a vehicle there and
arenot walking directly through. Or they have to prove you've been
therefor more than 15 minutes. And that they have warned you on a
prioroccasion.

You don't have to prove you DO have a vehiclethere. You DON'T have to
answer any of their questions about thisissue. In fact, the wisest
thing is to continue to repeat 'am I free togo?' and then simply walk
over and talk with a friend.

Ifthey indicate you are not free to go, ask those around you to
witnessthe harassment, but ask questions but don't answer them.

Technically, if you leave the parking lot every fourteen
minutes,police will likely have no probable cause to talk with you,
since howdo they know whose car is whose?

If police attempt to involveyou in dialogue about 'better places for
drumming', 'the marijuanaproblem', or any other issue, I suggest you
advise them to set up ameeting at another time when people can meet on
a level playing fieldand discuss these issues. If police call their
activity 'educational',suggest they do so at a time when their
behavior can't be mistaken forintimidation.

Given the number of supporters who regularly show up, ticketing of
this kind is unlikely.

I'm not a lawyer; these suggestions are just my personal opinions.
It's most important to use your own judgment.

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