Mayor and Council Condemn Occupiers who Took Over Bank Building

The Friday press release from Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty and the Santa Cruz City Council was simple.

"The Mayor and City Council condemn the break-in and occupation of the bank building on Water Street.  We believe it's a misguided, ineffective and illegal form of protest.  The actions of these few individuals are deeply troubling and violate the trust and well-being of our community.  The Santa Cruz Police Department has our full support and confidence to enforce the law and resolve the situation in a way that protects the health and safety of our officers and our citizens."

Occupiers, who are still in the Coast Commercial Bank at 75 River St., met Thursday with City Manger Martin Bernal and Santa Cruz Police.

"We told them they are trespassing and they are illegaly on the property and they need to leave," said Deputy Police Chief Steve Clark. "If they refuse it will force the police department into enforcement action. At that pont there is a great likelihood that people will be injured. We asked them, 'Is that what you want?'"

Reminded that there were no injuries when Los Angeles Police swept out 292 protestors, Clark said that "It depends on what we face in terms of resistance."

LAPD also brought observers with them, including lawyers and religious leaders, to ensure there were no false claims of brutality. They also had more than 500 officers to make the arrests shortly after midnight Wednesday.

Their peaceful and effective approach was praised in this Los Angeles Times story and was a contrast to removals in New York and Oakland, which resulted in violence.

Clark said SCPD would likely not notify anyone when it would arrest the trespassing protestors. "We will do it on our terms."

He added, however, that police were still trying to negotiate with the protestors and convince them to leave.