Los Angeles Indymedia : Activist News

SANTA CRUZ, CA - District Attorney Bob Lee has embarked on a full frontal assault against independent media in Santa Cruz by including four regular contributors to the independent news website Indybay.org amongst the eleven people charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors after the occupation of a vacant bank building on November 30th, 2011. District Attorney Lee apparently believes it is his duty to dictate how events such as the occupation of the vacant bank at 75 River Street should be reported on by the media, and if he does not approve of the coverage, then journalists risk the DA bringing charges against them.

Bradley Stuart Allen and Alex Darocy are Indybay photojournalists and Indybay editors who were reporting on the occupation. No charges nor arrests were made at the time, but warrants were issued over two months later on February 8th, 2012 for Bradley, Alex, and nine other individuals. Alex was arrested at his home before he could submit to the surprise warrant. Bradley and Alex were originally charged with felony vandalism, felony conspiracy, and two counts of misdemeanor trespass, but after a three-day preliminary hearing starting March 13th the felony vandalism charge against both was dropped. Alex and Bradley remain out of police custody on their own recognizance.Full Story: Indybay Journalists Charged with Felony: Conspiracy to Make Media by the Indybay Collective

En Espanol: Periodistas de Indybay acusados de delito grave: Conspiracion para hacer los medios

UPDATE: All Charges Dismissed - Monday, May 14th, 2012, Judge Paul Burdick of the Santa Cruz Superior Court has dismissed all charges against Indybay photojournalists Alex Darocy and Bradley Stuart Allen. Outside the courtroom, Allen said he is eager to get back to work. "I'm glad that I still have the ability to cover events as a journalist. I feel like I've been criminalized for the values of this community and the things this community has taught me, so it does feel good to know my actions are not criminal," he said.