The Lumberjack

Issue date: 5/2/07 Section: Community

Story originally published online April 26, 2007

Gray clouds blanketed the morning sky, with thesunlight breaking through. A soft, cold breeze blew. A group of people, huddled in a circle, watched as police dismantled their camp - tents of canvas, cloth and tarps. The wind carried the shouts from a crowd gathered across the street. It was only the beginning of the face-off between activists and police, that lasted four hours.
Police raided activists at an encampment on the corner of 11th and D Streets in Arcata around 6:30 a.m. last Wednesday.

Arcata Police, assisted by officers from University Police, Humboldt Sheriffs and Humboldt County District Attorney's office, raided an encampment organized by People Project, the advocacy group that deals with homeless persons' rights. One goal of this encampment was to liberate the public space.

People from the crowd heckled officers, yelling, "You could be homeless too," and, "Where would Jesus sleep?"

The scene escalated when police arrested a woman asking to enter the camp in order to collect her possessions. Police took 18 people into custody, one of whom was sent to a hospital after having multiple seizures. All but one was released, a young woman who was sent to juvenile hall.
A homeless rights activist said police entered the encampment, woke them up and occupied the place without giving any legal reason. Police at the scene refused to comment.

Campers who were trying to find a way back to their tents, talked about the situation.
"I don't think the land should be owned," a female activist, who did not giver her name said. "I think we should be able to sleep right here."

After the young woman was arrested, the crowd started chanting "let her go, let her go." At least 20 supporters formed a line on the street and locked arms - the numbers grew over time. Police formed a line in front of them.

"You guys are asking for a confrontation," said an onlooker on the sidewalk.

After clearing the camp, police surrounded the remaining 15 protesters who refused to leave. The group locked arms and legs, creating a gauntlet that made it more difficult for police to arrest. Officers then targeted pressure points and twisted limbs in order to grab and arrest the protesters. On one part, a woman let out a cry of pain so loud it was heard over the chanting of the crowd.

"Stop hurting her!" yelled people in the crowd repeatedly.

Shortly before, Hans Ashbaucher, a member of People Project, was pried from the gauntlet and arrested, began to seizure as police dragged him to a police van, where others were being detained. The crowd exploded and shouted as the seizures continued - some yelled for an ambulance.
"An ambulance is on the way," Officer Vince O'Conner said to the crowd, though it was unknown who called for one first. About 10 minutes later, the ambulance arrived.

Many of the people packed on the sidewalk were disgusted with the way police treated the activists, and others had tears in their eyes.

"I didn't go to Vietnam to fight for this country," an older man shouted at police, "to see this oppression of the people."

Police placed a barricade between the protesters on the street and themselves. As arrests continued, the protesters in the street began pushing on the barricade and demanded police free those being detained. Ben Kellog, one of the campers, was arrested after pushing on a barricade and exchanging words with officers.

The crowd swelled to at least 100 people, cars slowed to watch and people ran up and down the street taking photos or capturing the scene on video. More police from Fortuna, Eureka and the California Highway Patrol began to arrive.

"No pushing or you'll be arrested," a highway patrol officer said over a loudspeaker. As the protesters at the barricade continued to push, police moved in and forced the crowd back toward the sidewalk.

A woman screamed as she was dragged away by police. The last protester arrested was carried to a police car, then police began to leave the scene.

A press release from the Arcata People Project on Thursday said the goal of the camp was to urge the Arcata City Council to address issues of homelessness. The group supported an "eco-sustainable campground for houseless people in the area."

According to a press release from Arcata Police Captain Tom Chapman last Wednesday, Arcata City Manager Michael Hackett directed him to remove the campers after continued disruptions at the D Street Community Center, and to protect city property and public health.
Fifteen of those arrested were for not identifying themselves when being cited, two for obstructing a police officer and the first arrest was for attempting to obstruct arrests taking place.

Protesters knocked over the barricade and followed the officers to their cars shouting, "Shame on you, shame on you!"

Briana Alfaro and A. Dominic Efferson contributed to this story

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