New Public Restroom Opens

Mayor Mark Wheetley and members of the Arcata City Council were at Eighth and F Streets this morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new downtown public restroom.

All Species Parade

People protested for climate justice today in the annual All Species Parade at the North Country Fair in Arcata.

Hatchet Hitchhiker Kai Back in Arcata

Today at the Plaza I ran into Kai, the hatchet wielding hitchhiker. Kai became famous after a news interview with him went viral on the internet. He was considered to be a hero after he used a hatchet to stop an attack on people by the man who he had hitched a ride from. The man had just seriously injured a PG&E worker with his truck.

Anarchist Book Fair In Manila

Manilla, California- Today, Humboldt's 5th annual Anarchist Book Fair was held at the Manila Community Center. The all day event included workshops, free food, and music.

Author Talks Marijuana at Humboldt State

Arcata, California-  Author Martin Lee came to Humboldt State University this afternoon, to share insights from his latest book, "Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuna- Medical, Recreational, and Scientific." The event was sponsored by the HSU chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. Lee's previous book, "Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD", was called a "wealth of historical, sociological, and political information" by The American Jorunal of Psychiatry. Martin's book signing and talk, was followed by a screening of Darryl Cherney's new documentary: "Who Bombed Judi Bari?".

NCRC Stopping All Services Dec. 31

The North Coast Resource Center in Arcata notified the public today that they will be suspending their services as of December 31, 2011. The NCRC, which was formerly known as the Arcata Endeavor, provides essential services to homeless people and low income residents. Services that will be stopped include food boxes, showers, lunches, and mail. A staff member said that they were closing in order to reorganize. Lack of funding has been a severe problem for the NCRC for several years.

Occupy Rally at HSU on Thursday

From Occupy Humboldt:

Occupy Humboldt will be using the winter break to re-energize, strategize, and build support networks for what we know will be a very active Spring. Join us for the Rally of the People, by the People, for the People on Thursday, December 8th. On December 9th, we will roll up the tent demonstration!

Sit-in Protest at Bank of America

About 35 occupy protesters staged a sit-in at the Arcata Bank of America today. They entered the bank shortly after 2 pm and sat down and chanted om. They left peacefully after police arrived. Prior to that, it was a confusing day for Occupy Arcata. The encampment at city hall fell apart. In the morning several campers took their tents down, which led others to do the same. Rumors spread that there had been a raid. As the encampment weakened, the city took advantage and pushed for more stuff to be removed. Little remained by afternoon. Protesters said that they would regroup and reorganize.

Police Give Occupy Arcata Eviction Notice

Arcata police chief Tom Chapman delivered a letter to Occupy Arcata today. The letter amounts to an eviction notice, and is like the ones in other cities that were given before a police raid. There is little doubt that APD is planning to raid the protest soon.

Community Shows Support for Occupy Arcata

After high profile evictions of occupy camps in New York, Eureka, Portland, Oakland, and other cities, members of the community in Arcata have come by to show their support for Occupy Arcata. Daniel Duncan of Small World Book Press brought a kiosk that he made. A man driving by shouted "Keep it going, they shut down New York". A family came and stood on the corner, waving and holding a sign that said "End Corporate Personhood!" A woman drove up and donated chocolate and nuts. And this was all in the short span of time that I was there earlier today.

Occupy Arcata Marches to Corporate Banks

For the last two days Occupy Arcata has marched in the downtown area to protest against large corporate banks. Protesters hope to march against banks every day at about noon. Occupiers chant "Banks got bailed out, we got sold out".

Bank Transfer Day

Today is Bank Transfer Day. The occupy movement is urging people to transfer their accounts from the big banks to local credit unions. Occupy Arcata is planning a march in observance. The local movement is still going strong at city hall. I am surprised at how many local shop owners have come by to express their support and drop off donations. A lot of the problems with disruptive persons has diminished, but their is still a need for more dedicated people that can maintain peacekeeper monitoring 24 hours a day.

City Council to Consider Supporting OWS

On the agenda for tomorrow night's meeting of the Arcata City Council is consideration of Resolution 112-26 - In Support of the Occupy Wall Street Movement. Occupy Arcata is urging citizens to come to the meeting, which starts at 6 pm. Public restrooms in the downtown area is also being discussed.

Occupy Arcata Protest Moves to City Hall

The Occupy Arcata protest has moved to Arcata City Hall on F Street.

Occupy Arcata Protests Bank of America

Activists from Occupy Arcata protested against the Bank of America for about an hour today.

Occupy Arcata GA Adopts Good Neighbor Policy

Today, after visits from city officials, the General Assembly of Occupy Arcata adopted a good neighbor policy and made other changes that should give the protest a different look and feel by tomorrow. The good neighbor policy will be like the one adopted in New York by Occupy Wall Street which reads as follows:

GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY

Posted Oct. 13, 2011, 2:10 p.m. EST by OccupyWallSt

Following respectful and good-faith dialogue with members of the local community which has been rebuilding since the trauma of 9/11, Occupy Wall Street hereby announces the following Good Neighbor Policy:

OWS has zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol anywhere in Liberty Plaza;

Zero tolerance for violence or verbal abuse towards anyone;

Zero tolerance for abuse of personal or public property.

OWS will limit drumming on the site to 2 hours per day, between the hours of 11am and 5pm only.

OWS encourages all participants to respect health and sanitary regulations, and will direct all participants to respectfully utilize appropriate off-site sanitary facilities.

OWS will display signage and have community relations and security monitors in Liberty Plaza, in order to ensure awareness of and respect for our guidelines and Good Neighbor Policy.

OWS will at all times have a community relations representative on-site, to monitor and respond to community concerns and complaints.

Occupy Wall Street October 13, 2011

Note: In conjunction with local community members and their representatives, OWS is also working to establish off-site sanitary facilities such as port-a-potties.

Police Reported Ready for Occupy Raid

Occupy Humboldt has warned that police in riot gear are forming up around the courthouse and may be getting ready to raid Occupy Eureka or Occupy Arcata!

Two Arrests at Occupy Arcata

Two protesters were arrested today at the Occupy Arcata protest site. The trouble started when officers tried to give a ticket to a protester for having a tent. Police arrested him after he refused to sign the ticket. One other activist was also arrested for reasons that are not clear. Both were taken to Humboldt County Jail. Police took the one tent that was at the site. Now there are several tents. The police action seems to have galvanized the activists and brought more community support. Here is a video of the incident:

Mayor Ornelas Visits Occupy Arcata

Arcata's mayor, Susan Ornelas came by the plaza today to check out the Occupy Arcata protest and talked with protesters. Her visit comes after occupiers reported increased police harassment last night.

Plaza Occupation Continues

The Occupy Arcata protest on the plaza is still going strong. Arcata police chief Tom Chapman came by today and talked with protesters.