People's Park loves you - El Parque del Pueblo te quiere. - Le Parc du peuple t'aime. - Mense se veld is lief vir jou - Mensen Park houdt van U. - Folkets Park alskar er - Menschen Park liebt dich - Park Ludzi kocha Cie - O Parque do Povo te ama

Welcome to a Celebration of People's Park!

People's Park turns 41! Let Peace and Justice Bloom! (quartersheets) (hi-res poster) Sunday, April 25th, 2010, noon-6: Life has not stopped at fourty for our People's Park; come out for the Anniversary Concert featuring: Antioquia, Funky Nixons, Phoenix, Wingnut Breakfast, All Nation Singers, Little Boy Blue, Yukon Hannibal, Juan Carlos, ClownSnotBombs Secret Circus, Corey Finnegan Comedy, M.C. OrukusaKi, Kirby, Tom, Speakers, childrens's party jump and activities, circus workshop, The Larry Bus with extra surprise bands, and finally, drum cicle 6pm wingnuts!!!! We hope to see you there! Open Meeting: Painting the Stage -- December 6th Call for meeting:      On Tuesday morning, Devin found it necessary to request the protection of four police officers in order to paint over another slogan that had appeared on the stage.  Again, the volunteer group that has built and maintains the stage was not noticed.  In order to avert a further waste of funds upon this sort of martial law presence by the University of California, we call for an open democratic meeting to be conducted on Sunday, Dec. 6th, at 1pm.  The meeting is to be followed by a painting party.  The presence of People's Park Community Advisory Board members is particularly requested, but the entire community is encouraged to participate, as both the content of the slogans and the tradition of painting them on the Free Speech Stage have come under attack by the University of California.  It is only through clear democratic process and direct action that we may overcome this conflict.  University of California employees are encouraged to participate as volunteers. University of California attempts to criminalize free speech and user-development in People's Park UPDATE: The trial date has been set for February 6th, 2010. Check back for more details! On the 4th of July, 2009, UC Police arrested Arthur Fonseca, a long-time People's Park activist and resident of Berkeley, and charged him with misdemeanor vandalism. Mr. Fonseca was in the act of painting the slogan "Common Ground is Sacred Land." on the front of the Free Speech Stage in People's Park, Berkeley. All of the maintenance and upkeep expenses for the Free Speech Stage have been paid for by the People's Park Anniversary Committe, a non-profit recognized by the State of California, which represents People's Park activists in their decades long struggle to prevent the University from developing People's Park. Mr. Fonseca is a core member of East Bay Food Not Bombs, a group that has been instrumental in the community's involvement in People's Park, and has overseen most of the maintenance on the stage as a volunteer for more than 15 years now. Mr. Fonseca completely rebuilt the Free Speech Stage 10 years ago for the 30th Anniversary with the University's permission and the help of a large crew of volunteers, none of whom were University students or employees. Mr. Fonseca undertook 3 months of volunteer labor in order to complete the job. The University of California's Board of Regents has summarily proclaimed that the Free Speech Stage in People's Park is their private property, and is prohibiting Free Speech activities there under punishment of the law. People's Park 40th Year! A week of celebratory events. Fun was had by all. If you missed it you can still get the posters: Download the poster.(color)(b/w) Download the schedule for the week . Or an awesome flier. See the schedule from the 20th anniversary. Join the listserve: peoplesparkcommunity@yahoogroups.com or 510 390-0830 "Nobody supervises and the trip belongs to whoever dreams." (from the notice in the Berkeley Barb Paper that called the first Park Creators!)

Park Events and Announcements New book release: People's Park: Still Blooming edited by Terri Compost. Celebrate the past, present, and future of People's Park! Support local bookstores: Book Zoo, Pegasus, Moe’s, Pendragon, Ancient Ways, Mrs. Dalloway’s, Diesel Bookstore, Walden Pond, Analog, Other Avenues, Modern Times, Bound Together, Green Apple, Needles & Pens, Ecology Center, or online at slingshot or Whoop! Advisory Board: The monthly meetings of the People's Park Community Advisory Board have been changed to the 2nd Mondays starting Nov. 9th, 2009. These meetings are open with a "public comment" period at the beginning at 7pm. The board is selected by the University to advise them of Park issues, so it's not actually a democratic body, but the meetings have been valuable as a means of communication with the University about the Park. Please come share your ideas, concerns etc. 2nd Mondays,7:00pm Trinity Methodist Church, 2362 Bancroft(near Dana), Berkeley the 40th Year is here See the Berkeley Daily Planet article about the festivities.

relatively recent

see the old news

At the recent Fashion Box Benefit Concert and Fashion Show

all were regaled by the wonderful Mannequin (from Cambria), the Village Yiddiots (klezmer), and I Yearn for Maiden (Iron). Thanks!

Also thanks to the folks who installed an attractive new freebox, fireproof, an elegant, simple, welded steel box -- and those who instantly filled it with useful clothes. No thanks to the university, who ripped it out of the ground sometime early the following Wenesday morning.

see some pictures from the 36th Anniversary Fair.

A brief summary of the SLAPP suit.
How the University is using the legal system to actively oppose public participation.