Month: May 2011

Slut Pride Worldwide: Santa Cruz SlutWalk

On May 15, Santa Cruz SlutWalk took the sidewalks to make a unified statement about sexual assault and victims’ rights, to demand respect for all, and re-appropriate the term slut. The demonstration was one of many around the world sparked by a statement on January 24 from a representative of the Toronto Police to a group of students. The officer shared insight into the police force’s view of sexual assault by stating, “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.”

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Santa Cruz City Council Votes for ICE and “Secure Communities” (S-Comm)

On May 10, the Santa Cruz City Council failed, by a 4-3 vote, to pass a resolution in support of AB 1081 (The Trust Act), which would change California’s contract with ICE-DHS over “Secure Communities” (S-Comm). AB 1081 honors local governments’ right to decide whether and how to participate in S-Comm.

“Secure Communities” (S-Comm) is a federal program that requires local law enforcement agencies to share the fingerprints of all people arrested to immigration enforcement and target those suspected of immigration violations for detention and deportation. This mandated sharing occurs regardless of the type of crime and even if the charges are dropped.

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