All Assistance for the Homeless to End

Staff members at the North Coast Resource Center informed their clients today, that all services for the homeless will be stopped due to lack of funding. There will be no more showers for seniors and disabled, no more mail services and case management. Also after two more community lunches next week, there will be no more lunches. It seems the only service that will still be provided is food boxes for housed people that can show proof of residence. Previously the NCRC (still known to many as The Endeavor) had indicated that the lunch program would be expanded from two days a week to three, starting with the new fiscal year in July. Apparently the expected funding did not come through, and now the most needy will be left with nothing. Years ago, when they first opened, they served lunch five days a week and offered shower and laundry services to all those who were in need.

Christmas Cheer for the Homeless

Susie and friends brought food and entertainment to the railroad tracks on Christmas day for the homeless in Arcata.

Tad on Hunger Strike, Friends Vigil on Plaza

Tad Robinson, the well known homeless rights activist and local blogger, is entering the second week of a hunger strike. He went to jail last Sunday to serve out a 35 day sentence after an incident during public comment at the January 27 Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting. He started fasting on October 20 at the last Board of Supervisors meeting. Meanwhile some of his supporters are holding a 24 hour vigil for him on the Arcata Plaza.

Poor People's March for Human Rights

People marched in Eureka yesterday, protesting for human rights and health care, and against the criminalization of homelessness. The march ended at Highland Park where there was food and music.

Veterans Attend North Coast Stand Down

Over the weekend, veterans from Humboldt and Del Norte Counties gathered at the fairgrounds in Ferndale for the Second Annual North Coast Stand Down. There was a lot of free services, food and music for veterans and their families. Army surplus gear was given away to homeless vets. According to the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, one out of every three homeless adult males is a veteran and on any given night, more than 500,000 veterans are homeless.

Slide Show of April 25 Raid on People Project

Homeless Rally, March, Speak to Council

Yesterday , the People Project held a rally and then marched in the streets through Arcata, ending up at the City Hall. I will write about last night's City Council meeting later, as I need to collect my thoughts and get to today's noon press conference.

Video of arrest on April 25

Threat of Vigilantism in Arcata

From reports I heard from activists that talked to police today, it seems that the City of Arcata is depending on vigilantes to prevent free speech and protest in Arcata. A culture of support for vigilantism seems to flourish in Humboldt County, thanks to the silence of the community and clergy. This is certainly what must have happened in Germany that allowed Hitler to come to power. Perhaps Mayor Harmony Groves is depending on KKK style vigilantes to come with a "final solution" to the "homeless problem".

People Project to Rally and March Tomorrow

The People Project will be breaking down their encampment at 14th & Union tomorrow morning in preparation for a rally in the afternoon. After the rally, protesters will begin a march that will end at City Hall, where many of them plan to speak to the City Council at their regularly scheduled Wednesday meeting. The People Project is demanding an end to the criminalization to homelessness and the return of their property that was taken in last Wednesday's raid. Activists also plan to raise concerns about police conduct during the raid. The People Project is also planning to hold a press conference on Thursday. The group will be putting out a press release soon, with more information.

Protesters start encampment at 11th & D

Yesterday afternoon, activists from the Arcata People Project established an encampment on a lawn at 11th and D streets, next to the old Arcata Community Center. Avery Jenkins said " We're trying to reclaim common spaces and create awareness about the issue of homelessness in the country and the fact that folks just don't have a place to sleep and be safe." About thirty people spent a rainy Saturday night sleeping there in tents and under tarps. Many other people stopped by offering support. At the beginning of the protest, Ranger Bob Murphy of the Arcata Police Department had the protester's porta-potty removed. The People Project is a coalition of students, concerned citizens and houseless people, that are trying to generate support for a free, ecologically sustainable campground.