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.

Protest Encampment Rises Again at 14th & Union

The People Project protest encampment was reestablished yesterday afternoon at 14th & Union Streets in Arcata, at the entrance to Redwood Park. Police have been coming by frequently, warning of possible citations or arrests, shining spotlights and filming. They came at about 2:30am and 4:30am, making sleep difficult. If anyone in the community can come out and provide support for any amount of time it would be very helpful and much appreciated. Also the People Project has a new website at http://peopleproject.wordpress.com

Protest Encampment Continues at City Hall

The People Project encampment that began last Saturday is still going strong but has moved to the lawn in front of The Arcata City Hall, where they intend to stay until the city gives back the property siezed by the police in Wednesday's raid. Citizens have been extremely generous and supportive. Ten pizza's were just delivered to the camp. The city's press release says citizens are angry and complaining about the camp. I see more that are angry at the city and Mayor Groves. I hope they hold her accountable if she runs for re-election. The city's press release states that on April 23the police warned the group of a violation and told them to vacate by sunset. This is a complete lie. I was there and never heard anything of it. I still can't find anyone who was told anything like that. The whole document is full of blatant lies. Mayor Harmony Groves should find out who is responsible and fire them. If not citizens should demand that the mayor resign. How can any citizen ever believe anything the city says again?

Protest Continues: City Hall Lawn Occupied

People Project activists regrouped last night at the 11th & D St. site and marched in the streets to the Arcata City Hall, where they began an occupation on the lawn.

Police Raid Camp: 18 Arrested

This morning , shortly after 6am, police from multiple agencies raided the protest encampment at 11th and D Streets. About 16 protesters sat in a circle, locking arms. A large crowd formed across the street. About 20 of those locked arms and chanted. A girl was arrested at about 8:45, when she approached the police and started talking to them. Then police began to pull protesters from the circle and drag them to a van. One handcuffed protester went into a seizure, while police held him face down on the street. The crowd was disturbed by the police conduct, leading at least one onlooker to cross the street and get arrested. A press release put out by the city appears to be full of distortions and incorrect assertions. I am outraged by their dishonesty, and will write more later, but have little time now, as I have to get to a meeting. It seems clear to me their message is that they will lie in order to deprive people of their constitutional rights. Here is a link for more photos: My Picasa web album

Encampment Protest Grows

More tents have gone up at the People Project encampment protest, as more houseless people hear about it and decide to join the camp. Yesterday afternoon, Arcata City Councilman Paul Pitino stopped by to see the protest and talk with the activists. This morning someone hung a banner above the 101 freeway that said "It's a crime to sleep outside. Is that alright with you?".