Only in America would we think to close public gathering places after dark. In other countries, public spaces are where people spend their evenings, hanging out with friends, flirting, playing, drinking, singing, dancing. A vital nightlife is the sign of a live and thriving community. From the point of view of merchants, having public places that draw people out of their homes at night is good for nighttime businesses as well. I think ultimately in our community, if we want to have any public life at all, we are going to have to challenge this.

We respectfully ask for an exception to the rule allowing us to show Guerilla Drive-In movies under the Soquel Ave Bridge. The benefits of having Guerilla Drive-In at this location are many. Principally, we provide outdoor public entertainment for free to everyone. We are a community resource and frequently make our equipment and expertise available to community groups. We make the levy area safer when we are there. We leave the bridge location cleaner than when we find it. We bolster the relationship the Riverside neighbors have with their adjoining public space. Guerilla Drive-In draws people from all over the bay area to Santa Cruz.

All over the country, we are setting an example for do-it-yourself public nighttime entertainment. Guerilla Drive-Ins are springing up all over, in Dallas, LA, Portland, Sacramento, NYC, Florida, Pennsylvania, Minneapolis. And while we are not the first, we are dedicated to reclaiming outdoor space and showing others how to do the same. Our website gives a step by step how-to

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Sincerely,
Rico Thunder
Guerilla Drive-In Collective They seem to be going about handling the bust in an appropriate manner - they could well shame the "Honored Council Folk" into giving them a clearance.

Friendly anarchists - interesting concept. Kiki's Delivery Service is up next.