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.

24 Hour Occupation of Arcata Plaza

Last night at least 25 people camped on the Arcata Plaza, as part of the global Occupy Movement that was inspired by Occupy Wall Street in New York. There is a general assembly planned for today at 5 pm.

Occupy Protesters Do Short Sit-ins at Two Arcata Banks

Early this afternoon protesters from Occupy Humboldt staged short sit-ins at the Chase Bank on 7th Street and at Wells Fargo Bank on G Street in Arcata. The activists sat on the floor and meditated for five to ten minutes, then got up and left before police arrived. Police caught up to them on G Street and talked to them for awhile. I'm not sure what was said.

Arcata Mayor and Councilman Support Occupy Movement

Arcata Mayor Susan Ornelas and Councilmember Shane Brinton came to the plaza yesterday, to show their support for Occupy Wall Street and the local Occupy movement. The two city officials joined dozens of activists who gathered on the plaza and marched around town. Mayor Ornelas said she was one of the ninety-nine percent. Activists from Occupy Humboldt circulated a petition to HSU President Rollin Richmond asking that the University allow the Occupy protest on campus to continue. They passed out flyers that claimed "CSU administrators are threatening to suspend students and eject protesters for participating in the Occupy movement". Occupy Humboldt is calling for as many supporters as possible to come to the protest site on Sunday.

Occupy Wall Street Comes to Humboldt

A protest encampment at the HSU is entering it's second night at the lawn below the Art quad. Earlier in the day Occupy Humboldt and Occupy Arcata marched on the Arcata Plaza in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protests that started three weeks ago in New York and have since spread nationwide.

Police Action on Giuntoli Lane

Many police with guns drawn converged on the Animal Hospital at 1300 Giuntoli Lane at about 2:35 pm today. Northern Redwood Federal Credit Union is at 1270 giuntoli and may be in the same building. The bank across the street was robbed yesterday. I thought I smelled gunsmoke as I passed by.

Protest Against B of A and Budget Cuts

There was a protest yesterday afternoon in front of the Bank of America. Protesters held signs and a banner in the rain to protest against corporations for failing to pay their fair share of taxes. The protest was organized by US Uncut and Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County.

Fallout Fears in Arcata Cause Surge in Iodine Sales

Fear of nuclear fallout from Japan's nuclear meltdown crisis is causing panic buying of iodine pills, kelp and seaweed in Arcata. The North Coast Co-op struggling to meet the demand of customers looking for products that will help protect against radiation poisoning. some of my friends have recommended taking kelp, seaweed, and leafy greens to mitigate the danger. The Co-op was restocking their kelp pills this morning, but was out of iodine pills that customers keep asking for.

Fire on the Plaza

Many police and fire vehicles responded to some kind of incident on the plaza, about an hour ago.
There was evidently an underground fire near or under the liquor store.