Help Keith McHenry of FoodNotBombs

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING FOOD NOT BOMBS CO-FOUNDER KEITH McHENRY

Food Not Bombs co-founder Keith McHenry faced three misdemeanor charges in Santa Cruz Superior Court as a result of his work to defend the rights of the poor. City officials have been seeking to drive artists and the poor from Pacific Avenue and other areas downtown. Keith resolved the case during the Tuesday, January 26, 2016 hearing. Santa Cruz District Attorney Archie Webber, Abbi Samuels' attorney George J Gigarjian and Keith McHenry negotiated a settlement before Judge Paul Marigonda in his chambers. It was agreed that all of Samuels’ charges would be dropped in all her cases including the false charges of vandalism and the charges related to participation in the Freedom Sleepers protest for the rights of the homeless if McHenry would plead no contest to misdemeanor vandalism. Webber also agreed to drop all of McHenry’s charges related to the sleep-outs. McHenry also told the court that he would only agree to the no contest plea if it was clear he could continue sharing vegan meals with Food Not Bombs at the Downtown Post Office and participate in protests at City Hall even though Webber wanted McHenry’s probation to include a year-long stay-away order from Pacific Avenue Mall in Santa Cruz and a stay-away from Scott Collins, Assistant to City Manager. McHenry was also able to have Webber agree that his driver’s license would not be suspended even though California State Law includes that with any Vandalism conviction.

Keith has been ordered to serve 28 days “house arrest,” pay $950 restitution for the “re-removal” of the blue performance boxes on Pacific Avenue and costs related to the “house arrest.”

Keith wants to recover Abbi’s legal fees of $3,500 to defend herself from being falsely charged and smeared in the media by city officials threatened by her effective community organizing.

The original case stemmed from an action where McHenry replaced 33 "blue artist boxes" on Pacific Avenue that had been removed by the city. On December 8th, Santa Cruz District Attorney Webber told the court that a warrant had been issued for Mr. McHenry's arrest in a new case where he has been charged with "offensive words" under California Penal Code 415(3). The other new misdemeanor was 'Failure to obey a police officer' who claims he told McHenry to use a cross walk at City Hall at midnight during the Freedom Sleepers protest. Santa Cruz City Council member, Cynthia Chase, City Redevelopment Manager, Julie Hendee and two others came together to observe Keith McHenry and Abbi Samuels' December 8th court hearing. At the next hearing on the three misdemeanor cases was held on Wednesday, December 16th in Department 1 in Superior Court before Judge Paul Burdick.

The District Attorney Webber offered a plea where McHenry would plead guilty to vandalism and have all other charges dropped. Mr. Weber told the court that if McHenry agreed to do this he would do two months in jail which the judge said could be work release. The DA also said the offer would include a year stay-away from Pacific Avenue Mall and Assistant City Manager Scott Collins which would make it impossible for McHenry to continue protesting the city's anti-homeless laws. The offer makes it clear that city officials believe it important to silence McHenry's effective work in bringing attention to the criminal actions taken by the city against its poor.

During this same period, his personal valuables were stolen from a vehicle while on a road trip. He lost many things that will require a lot of money to recover; most importantly his MacBook.

A BIG THANK YOU (!) to all who so graciously offer assistance in this matter. There are some ‘Food Not Bombs’ rewards to be sent to you as a token of appreciation.

Monies would help pay for:

Police Report                $25
Legal Audio Tape         $25
Phone Charger             $30
Travel Adapters Int’l  $35
Transcripts                      $50
Toiletries                          $60
Backpack                       $100
Computer Bag            $100
Court Fines                  $225
Printing                           $300
Art Supplies                  $300
Bail                                    $800
Restitution                    $950
Computer                  $2,000
Abbi's lawyer fees $3,500

TOTAL:                        $8,500

* To learn more about Food Not Bombs go to:
www.foodnotbombs.net