Community members in downtown Santa Cruz took to the streets on February 11 to parade in support of the final four Santa Cruz Eleven defendants, whose trial begins on March 4. They were charged in association with the 2011 occupation of the vacant bank building located at 75 River Street, which occurred during the height of the Occupy movement.
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| Parading past 75 River Street |
The parade traveled down Pacific Avenue and made brief stops at the Town Clock and City Hall. The group passed by 75 River Street at one point. The bank building that was occupied in 2011 still sits vacant today.
A large number of supporters held signs and wore shirts printed with the statement, "I was in the building."
Hundreds if not over a thousand people entered an exited the building over the course of the three day occupation in November and December of 2011. Eleven people were first singled out for prosecution in February of 2012, but by January of 2013 that number facing charges was reduced to four by the judge.
Two of the four facing charges were in attendance at the parade, Gabriella Ripley-Phipps and Brent Adams.
Grant Wilson, Robert Norse, (as well as this reporter and Bradley Allen of Indybay), who all had their charges dismissed by Judge Burdick in different pre-trial hearings, were also at the parade.
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| Robert Norse |
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| Brent Adams |
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| Grant Wilson |
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| Gabriella Ripley-Phipps |
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| 75 River Street |
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| "I Was in the Building" |
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| Steve Pleich |
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| Police watch parade |
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| A few individuals entered the City Council meeting when the parade reached City Hall. Robert Norse is pictured with SCPD Deputy Chief of Police Rick Martinez in City Council Chambers. |
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| Council Chambers |
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| Group wave at the end of the parade |
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