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Yahoo!Batman, hotdogs, sailors and others garbed in Halloween costumes rallied downtown Wednesday evening, blocking State Street traffic between De La Guerra and Ortega streets. The crowd, estimated at 150-200 people by police, attracted several hundred onlookers as they chalked the streets and danced, continually shouting “Our street!”
At approximately 6:45 p.m., folk-punk band Oso set up instruments on State Street, using an electrical outlet outside Ruby’s Café to power their speakers and amplifiers. Strobe lights, smoke machines and music filled the street as the crowd grew in mass. Police in riot gear established barricades to prevent cars from entering either end of State Street between. “We’re reclaiming the streets from shopping and driving,” a young man who identified himself as the Green Psycho Fairy Granny said. “We’re manifesting the type of community we want to see on the streets.”
Near De La Guerra, a banner stating, “Reclaim the streets,” stood fixed between two shopping cars packed to the brim with wrapped loaves of generic bread. Messages chalked into asphalt read “I heart SB,” “Reclaim the streets,” and “In times of peace the militant man attacks himself.” Anarchy symbols mingled with drawings of hearts, cats and suns.
A young woman dressed as Tank Girl identified herself as Margaux and claimed to be one of the instigators of the protest. “It’s about reclaiming the streets,” she said. When asked from what they were reclaiming, she replied, “I don’t know, cars I suppose. When do we ever get to?” Though the protestors themselves did not seem clear on the specific purpose of the protest, an email sent out to members of various UCSB-based anti-war organizations stated the Halloween ruckus was done in support of a movement called "Reclaim the Streets."
Tired of the usual Halloween debauchery in Isla Vista? Want to participate in something radically different, a little more wild and wonderful? Some folks around town are planning a Reclaim the Streets Party for Halloween … Think Bacchus, Burning Man, bonfire, sideshow, circus, pandemonium. Think creatively … Expect games, music, dancing, and all of the fun that goes along with taking over a city block!
Throngs of onlookers filled the sidewalks of State Street, watching and photographing the hundred or so protestors that shouted as they danced. A ninja beckoned people to join in.
At approximately 7:15 p.m., Oso stopped performing and a police presence grew within the crowd, amid anti-authoritarian insults. Policemen photographed individuals of the band as well as a number of protestors who shouted “Our streets!”
“It seems important for people to reclaim public space,” said Oso member Phil Taylor, who was dressed like a bunny. “I think spontaneous shows of humanistic support in these turbulent times are important.” When asked if the band held a part in planning the protest, a member claimed, “No, we just showed up.”
At approximately 7:45 p.m., the crowd flocked up State Street, weaving their way through Paseo Nuevo, throwing chunks of bread around the alleyway as they passed Santa Barbara Roasting Company. The crowd of about fifty individuals continued north on Chapala Street, blocking cars and disobeying traffic signals, causing drivers from all directions to honk their horns. Squad cars followed the crowd along Chapala and Figueroa Street until crossing Anacapa Street near the Arrellaga Street intersection. Officers in riot gear leapt out of squad cars and onto the sidewalk to detain individuals who were part of the crowd.
At approximately 8:15 p.m. fifteen individuals were detained and, according to Lieutenant David Whitham, ten were cited minor infractions for causing a hazard and jaywalking. Whitham explained that those cited for jaywalking were walking against traffic around the 1400 block of Anacapa Street, where it was dark and they were putting themselves in danger. A few individuals were cited misdemeanors for producing false names. No arrests were made. “[Our] main goal was to prevent it from escalating into major violence,” said Lt. Whitham. “Nobody was injured. Nobody was vandalized.”
In a interview on Thursday, Whitham characterized the protestors as "quasi-anarchist," "anti-police," "anti-establishment," "non-violent," and "not all that well-organized." He also noted that a large part of the group — including those cited for jaywalking — were high school-aged.
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Reclaiming the streets means they no longer have a purpose designated by those in power (the wealthy, the politicians, the police) but instead have the collective purpose of being what the individuals involved would like for them to be. That's why you'll get different answers; there's no party line. We're not selling anything; that's what businesses and politicians do.
For me, the streets are being reclaimed from centralized power... but is it really important for everyone to have that perspective? No. All that matters is who they're being reclaimed BY, and that's people, taking matters into their own hands. We're not getting in the way of the interests of others any more than the cars do; we're opening up the space for people to make it their own.
By the way... "Not all that well organized"?? We led the police on a wild goose chase with our parade, always a few blocks ahead, always gaining the element of surprise, and Officer White Ham (Officer White Man?) is saying we're the ones that weren't well organized? Hell, we distributed free food and clothing to hundreds of people without any of the politico-bureaucratic slowdown that it takes for governments to do the same. I guess 'not well organized' these days means you don't have guns or teargas and your companions think for themselves.
By the way, for many of us, quasi-anarchist would better read 'anarchist'. Thanks!
Wrench (anonymous profile)
November 1, 2007 at 10:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the problem with the SBPD? The police used arbitrary authority and force to break up what was otherwise a totally peaceful party!
And then for all of these ignorant politicians, business owners and news anchors to blabber on and on about "how at least things didn't get violent." People, the cops came out in force against a young party-goers with guns, mace and tazers strapped to their riot gear clad bodies. They brought attack dogs out against those 10 teen agers they caught up near Alameda Park!
All for what? For dancing in the streets? What's wrong with Santa Barbara? What's wrong with the police department? How foolish is Das Williams (quoted in the News Press as saying something about it not getting violent)? It got violent because the cops used force to shut down the revelry and chase people through the streets.
I totally sympathize with the folks that threw this street party. They were attacked by the cops for no good reason. Furthermore, I can see much validity to their points about State Street being unwelcoming to many, in need of a real re-making. If you don't like shopping or don't have money to spend then State Street can be really boring, barren and inhospitable. It's clearly not the kind of "public space" I want in my hometown. Why can't we just let our friends and neighbors make life a little more fun and interesting in Santa Barbara every now and then?
Shame on the downtown merchants!
I'm coming out to the next RTS!
Peace,
An elder
LawrenceGramm (anonymous profile)
November 2, 2007 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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