HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK ---------------------------
from People's Bark News Tue, 11 Mar 2003 ======================================================== 31. Sex for Peace Event a Big Success!! - Santa Cruz, ca Sex for Peace Event a Big Success!! Half a dozen SCPD officers attend and leave satisfied Police Squad returns to enforce sleeping, tabling bans. Santa Cruz, Ca. --- At the stroke of midnight, the demonstrators at the Vigil to End Two Wars, began their event, Sex for Peace. Inspired by groups of mostly young males who continually drive by the Vigil at unsafe speeds shouting something like "F__K peace!!", vigilers were inspired to schedule a very special round of civil disobedience for the cause of world peace. "A piece for peace!" vigil-goer, Yani proclaimed. Throughout the day, vigilers invited people to return at midnight and have Sex for Peace. "Bring the sexual partner of your choosing and come to Cooper St. and Pacific Ave. at midnight!" announced Robert Norse of HUFF. Most members of the public seemed keen on the event. One man, who admitted sadly that he had no sexual partner, offered to attend and provide backup if asked. Two minutes to midnight, Sgt. Pruger and five other police officers arrived in four police cars, temporarily interrupting some heavy necking for peace. Officer Kline, when informed that the SCPD had arrived just in time for the "Sex for Peace" event, advised vigil organizers that the indecent exposure ordinance would be enforced. "Its a misdemeanor, and I highly recommend against it," warned Officer Kline. The organizers explained that sometimes at demonstrations, people do commit civil disobedience for the cause of the greater good. Police officers then examined the two non-commercial display devices for conformity to the 6 foot by 3 foot rules that limited the size of a table. Police left satisfied for the moment. One very dedicated couple disappeared beneath the HUFF protest table, and vigilers placed several protest signs around the table. They proceeded to give it their all for the greater good of mankind. Such was their dedication and perseverance, that long after 1AM they were still actively pursuing the cause of peace. "Take that Ashcroft!" the dedicated peace worker mumbled from beneath the table. One elderly onlooker commented "When they say 'Make Love, Nor War', they ain't kiddin'." Heightened "Yellow Alert" Surveillance to Forestall Criminal Sleeping and Subversive Tabling Around 5 a.m., three police officers, arrived with the determination that sleeping as well as making love was forbidden, and warned the dozen vigilers to stay awake or face citation and arrest. The City's current emergency shelter capacity is 160, including the Armory, which is due to close March 15 (and may close sooner if Bush begins his Iraq invasion). The Homeless Census 2000 estimated the number of homeless and nomadic people in Santa Cruz City limits at 1500-2000. With increasing unemployment and soaring rents, HUFF activists suggest that number is at the top end. Two hours later around 7 a.m. six officers and a lieutenant showed up to enforce the "no sleeping" edict. They also insisted that the two tables were illegal even though run by different groups. Unable to cite the appropriate "illegal display device" law, Lt. Tom Vlassis nonetheless coaxed and pressed the sleep-befogged protesters, saying he would clarify the issue with City Attorney John Barisone today. Vlassis was accompanied by a police van and two squad cars. Vlassis said the assistant police chief had ordered his squad to confiscate the literature, signs, & petitions as well as the candles, sleeping bags, backpacks, & blankets of the participants, who were in their 4th cold night of a demonstration that began Friday noon to contain the vigiling menace as needed. Tablers shook their heads and again combined the tables, festooned with "Vigil Against Two Wars" and "Honk for Peace" placards. Vigilers praised Vlassis for friendly delivery of a harsh and contradictory message. Vigil flyers urge resistance to the war in Iraq as well as to Santa Cruz's Ashcroft-era restrictions on tabling, sitting, sleeping, and peaceful sparechanging. Participants are opposed to the War against Iraq and the war against the poor at home. Other civil disobedience activities (made criminal by City Council) include blowing bubbles, playing hacky-sack, tossing a frisbee, playing hopscotch, and bouncing a ball. ======================================================== john vance, editor Peoples Bark News Berkeley A project of: A First Amendment Center PO Box 2647 San Marcos, Ca 92079 http://www.freezepeach.info (760) 752-6390 ===== LMNOP http://lmno4p.org "No War for Oil!" __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.bdn7KI.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html ==^================================================================
