This was the coming together of masses of people in public places challenging the  atomizing isolating institutions that have catapulted the country into war and bankrupcy (and kept us there).    And taking direct action to reclaim public space, the public purse, and public civil rights.

Now eleven are charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors for entering, observing, and leaving a vacant bank building last November in support of a Community Center and to expose the predatory Wells Fargo foreclosure master. 

These recent opportunistic and repressive prosecutions (described in the current Good Times at http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/index.php/good-times-cover-stories/3686-occupy-santa-cruz.html) have frightened many—inside and outside Occupy–who now fear that violating any local law or ordinance can be the pretext for felony conspiracy charges, punishable by years in prison. 

The fear  has driven many to cut back on any public actions that might risk arrest–which in the fall was one important strong arm of the movement.  The protest against the city and county’s anti-Occupy curfews around public buildings (clearly unconstitutional) has not been sustained.  Folks are afraid to say they were present in or around the bank at 75 River St. or to testify on behalf of those who were.

Meanwhile D.A. Bob Lee has selected me and ten other activists as scapegoats and is apparently trolling the waters for more victims (See latest news updates at http://datinternet.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/ ).  His aim seems to be to create a community of snitches who will bolster his selective prosecutions.

Since direct police brutality against Occupy activists in other cities resulted last fall in swelling the movement, it appears SC cops and prosecutors here are using a different stealth strategy—making no arrests until months later and spreading the icy fear of further arrests for simply walking into a vacant unposted bank building along with hundreds of other people. 

Learn more about the false charges being selectively pressed against journalist, whistleblowers, and community activists around the 75 River St. 3-day vacant Wells Fargo leased bank occupation. 

Go to http://www.goodtimessantacruz.com/index.php/good-times-cover-stories/3686-occupy-santa-cruz.html
or follow the issues in more detail at http://www.indybay.org/santacruz .

We need help in publicizing and combatting these charges while simultaneously continuing the struggle that so galvanized the country last fall.

The http://www.santacruzeleven.org website will soon be operational.  Until then, contact Robert at r norse3@hotmail:disqus
I.com if you wish to offer time, money, or any other kind of support.  Contacting a local organization you belong to and getting a resolution of support can be helpful.  Letters to the newspaper, on-line blogging, and phone calls to the D.A. can help.  Joining public protests can help even more.