On June 14, the Freedom Sleepers held their 49th community sleepout at Santa Cruz City Hall, with about two dozen people spending the night. As summer approaches, attendance has continued to increase at the weekly sleepouts, which are organized to protest local laws that criminalize homelessness. The 50th community sleepout is planned for Tuesday, June 21, and the Freedom Sleepers have announced their one-year anniversary sleepout will be held on July 5.
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| A Freedom Sleeper in front of Santa Cruz City Hall at community sleepout #47 on June 1 |
The community sleepouts in Santa Cruz were initiated on July 4, 2015 by a coalition of unhoused and housed activists. Organizations participating in the sleep protests have included Santa Cruz Food Not Bombs, Homeless United for Friendship and Freedom (HUFF), Santa Cruz Homeless Persons Legal Assistance Project, Santa Cruz Homeless Depot Shelter, Homeless Advocacy & Action Coalition, and Housing NOW Santa Cruz.
Through the course of the protests, participants have rallied around one primary demand: the repeal of the city's camping ban, which outlaws sleeping in public, with or without bedding, between the hours of 11pm and 8:30am. By spending the night and sleeping at City Hall, participants directly violate the camping ban.
Organizers of the one-year anniversary sleepout say they are planning to announce a list of demands. The anniversary event will also feature a speak out and a memorial for houseless individuals who died this year.
Additionally, the sleepouts continue to be a hub for autonomous organizing around homeless rights issues in Santa Cruz. Following the circulation of a petition in support of opening City Hall's public restroom as a 24 hour facility, activists took a unique approach and appealed directly to Santa Cruz City Council member Pamela Comstock for support.
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| Community Sleepout #47 |
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| Community Sleepout #47 |
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| Community Sleepout #48 |
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| Community Sleepout #48 |
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| Community Sleepout #48 |
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| Community Sleepout #49 |
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| Community Sleepout #49 |
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| Community Sleepout #49 |
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| Community Sleepout #49 |
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