[scimc-news] Santa Cruz Eleven, Subpoenas to Federal Grand Jury, and Bassnectar

[scimc at indymedia.org]

Santa Cruz Indymedia Update For Sunday, May 27th, 2012
http://indybay.org/santacruz 

check http://Indybay.org for more featured news!

Use this link to Publish an Article on SC-IMC!
http://indybay.org/publish.php?page_id=60

Publish Upcoming Events on the SC-IMC Calendar!
http://indybay.org/calendar/event_add.php?page_id=60

* Upcoming Events
* Preliminary Hearing Postponed for Santa Cruz Eleven
* Banners on Highway One: "Support The Santa Cruz Eleven" and "Drop All Charges Now!"
* At Least Two People Subpoenaed to Federal Grand Jury
* All Charges Dismissed Against Indybay Photojournalists Bradley and Alex
* The California Constitution "Is Broader and More Protective Than the First Amendment"
* Demonstrators say, "Bob Lee, Stop Wasting Money! Drop the Charges!"
* City of Santa Cruz Cancels Bassnectar Show Day Before Sold Out Concert

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UPCOMING EVENTS

May 27th  7:00 PM: 2012 The Mayan Word - Film Screening Fundraiser for Peace & Dignity Journeys
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/21/18713890.php

May 27th  7:00 PM: Voices From the Village: Watsonville Brown Berets
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/26/18714175.php

May 29th  7:00 PM: Nicaragua: Surviving the Legacy of U.S. Policy 
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/26/18714173.php

June  1st  5:00 PM: "Beyond the Gallery" Exhibits at First Friday Art Walk 
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/24/18714069.php

June  1st  7:00 PM: 27th Annual Honoring of the Elders Gathering 
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/20/18713860.php

June  2nd  7:00 PM: John Trudell: A Special Concert
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/04/23/18711936.php

June  3rd 11:00 AM: Santa Cruz Pride Parade and Festival
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/25/18714118.php

More Events On Santa Cruz Indymedia's Calendar:
http://www.indybay.org/calendar/?page_id=60

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Preliminary Hearing Postponed for Santa Cruz Eleven

Robert Norse reports: Seven defendants (two were recharged) now face an upcoming Preliminary Hearing sometime in June thanks to Santa Cruz County District Attorneys Bob Lee and Rebekah Young. The seven are activists and reporters selected out of hundreds who passed through the vacant Wells Fargo bank building (now surrounded with a fence and barbed wire) in downtown Santa Cruz. The new court date for the Readiness Hearing is Friday, June 1st at 8:15 AM in Dept. 6.

Read More
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/26/18714176.php

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Banners on Highway One: "Support The Santa Cruz Eleven" and "Drop All Charges Now!"

On May 18th, supporters of the Santa Cruz Eleven held banners on the Soquel Avenue overpass, to be seen by passing drivers on Highway 1, in support of the eleven people charged in association with the 2011 occupation of a vacant bank building in Santa Cruz. So far six of the eleven defendants have had charges against them dismissed by Santa Cruz County judge Paul Burdick, and the remaining five, Brent Adams, Desiree Foster, Gabriella Ripley-Phipps, Becky Johnson, and Robert Norse (Kahn), are still in the middle of pre-trial hearings.

Read More and View Photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/18/18713764.php

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At Least Two People Subpoenaed to Federal Grand Jury

At least two individuals have been subpoenaed to a federal grand jury that appears to be investigating a fire set at the home of a UC Santa Cruz animal researcher in 2008. There was no claim of responsibility for the fire, and there is no evidence activists were responsible. Nonetheless, the incident became the impetus for the "AETA 4" case, which saw the indictment of four Bay Area activists before charges were dismissed in 2010.

Read More
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/17/18713713.php

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All Charges Dismissed Against Indybay Photojournalists Bradley and Alex

On May 14th, all charges against Indybay photojournalists Bradley Stuart Allen and Alex Darocy were dismissed by Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Paul Burdick. The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office had argued, without any evidence, that Allen and Darocy were "the media arm of the organization, the group’s propagandists" for the occupation of the vacant Wells Fargo bank building at 75 River Street in late November, thereby validating Shmuel Thaler, a Santa Cruz Sentinel photographer, as having been at the occupation as a bona fide journalist. Judge Burdick questioned the inconsistencies in the DA's argument and dismissed all charges.

Read More
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/17/18713700.php

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The California Constitution "Is Broader and More Protective Than the First Amendment"

The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California filed a brief as amicus curiae, on May 3rd, in support of Bradley Stuart Allen and Alex Darocy’s motion to dismiss, pursuant to Penal Code section 995, pending before the Superior Court of California for the County of Santa Cruz. In the brief, ACLU of Northern California concludes, "The prosecution’s theories of liability for conspiracy to trespass and aiding and abetting trespass seek to punish Allen and Darocy for activity they engaged in that is protected by the First Amendment and the liberty of speech clause of the California Constitution."

Read More
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/06/18713040.php

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Demonstrators say, "Bob Lee, Stop Wasting Money! Drop the Charges!"

On May 4th, community members gathered at the Santa Cruz Courthouse for a press conference and rally to demand District Attorney Bob Lee drop the charges against the Santa Cruz Eleven, who have all been charged with felonies arising from the occupation of a vacant bank building last fall. Organizers of the rally believe the DA should, "re-examine the basis for the charges, and the Court must ensure that these activists are not being selectively prosecuted." Approximately 100 people were in attendance at the courthouse rally, and after a brief press conference that had seven of the Santa Cruz Eleven introducing themselves, the group marched through downtown Santa Cruz. 

Read More and View Photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/06/18713034.php

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City of Santa Cruz Cancels Bassnectar Show Day Before Sold Out Concert

Lorin Ashton / Bassnectar writes: "Santa Cruz, California is one of my favorite places in the world. It is special to me for countless reasons, and it is one of my favorite places to play music. I am stunned, and saddened that the City of Santa Cruz decided last minute to not allow our show to happen tomorrow [Thursday, May 3rd]. Basically, there is a very vague city ordinance #9.36.010... Now had they told us this 6 months ago when we booked the show, that would have been understandable (it still would have been weird, because we already did one successful show at the Civic Center, and are not going to play music any louder than last time) but having this happen so last minute is basically putting us in a very difficult situation."

Read More
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/05/02/18712685.php

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