Today is July 4, also known as Independence Day. Some of Santa Cruz County’s biggest celebrations already happened on the weekend, but act quickly to get in on the action at the “world’s shortest parade,” taking place in Aptos at 10am, or the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, kicking off at noon.
Or perhaps take some time to consider all that has happened since the event this holiday commemorates: when the Second Continental Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
That action eventually led, in 1787, to the signing of the United States Constitution—a document that has been augmented by fiercely debated amendments and whose meaning has been debated in an ongoing series of courtroom pyrotechnics.
Where these legal battles eventually detonate is in the Supreme Court. And few rulings have been more explosive than the 6-3 vote overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which opens the way for individual states to ban abortion rights.
This action sent shockwaves across the electorate—not surprising, because a solid majority supports a woman’s right to reproductive freedom. In Santa Cruz, reports Good Times, hundreds of protestors came out in force to air their views.
What Comes Next?
But this ruling could just be the beginning of a campaign to roll back other rulings targeted by the religious right.
Does this sound crazy? In a two-part series, California Local reporter Jonathan Vankin takes a detailed look at the concurring opinion issued by the most senior SCOTUS justice, Clarence Thomas, who urges his fellow justices to “reconsider” previous decisions that upheld rights which—like Roe v. Wade—are largely rooted in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution.
Similar decisions to Roe v. Wade have cemented the right to contraception, the right to privacy in the bedroom, and the right to marry the person of one’s own choosing—whether that be someone of the same sex or a different race. But Justice Thomas says the courts must “reconsider” some cases because “the Due Process Clause does not secure any substantive rights.”
So for today, right now, celebrate the substantive rights we still have. And consider what courses of action are needed to protect them.
And Speaking of Amendments
As part of today’s musings on our country’s birthday, here are the words of the very first amendment to the Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Talk about a loaded sentence. One part of it—“abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press”—was imperiled on June 27. That day, the Supreme Court avoided a case that could have proven disastrous for the media. But if Justice Thomas had his way, the case would have been heard. In his third piece focusing on Thomas, reporter Vankin explains that this wasn’t the first time Thomas called for the court to “revisit” Sullivan.
California Local’s Graham Womack has been following another media story: the progress of Senate Bill 911, a plan to help fund California journalism that is currently working its way through the state legislature. The bill cleared another hurdle on June 29, but concerns remain from a variety of media groups. We’ll keep an eye on how that bill progresses—and what substantive rights and freedoms might come under future attacks.
Calling Emergency on SB 911
SB 911, a bill to publicly fund journalism in California, narrowly advances to Assembly Appropriations Committee; faces opposition from ethnic media publishers.
Lookout Local’s Wallace Baine talks to Eric and Ellen Gil, who opened a business in downtown Santa Cruz in 1988. Their company, Socksmith, is now an industry mainstay.
(07/04/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
As Willy Elliott-McCrea gets ready to retire and new Second Harvest Food Bank CEO Erica Padilla-Chavez comes on board, the Santa Cruz County organization will throw a 50th anniversary party July 21 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville.
(07/04/2022) → Read the full Edible Monterey Bay report
When results of the June 7 election were certified by the county clerk, a measure to raise Santa Cruz’s city sales tax lost by 50 votes. According to City Manager Matt Huffaker, “the loss of Measure F equates to over $80 million in lost revenue over the next decade.”
(07/04/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
Under a new state law, counties must purge property records of language that once banned people of color from buying homes. While the covenants were made unenforceable in 1948, racial justice advocates say the law confronts the state’s history of discrimination.
(07/04/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
From July 24 through Aug. 7, the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music will celebrate six decades of music with a return to live, in-person performances and a program of new works.
(07/03/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
The CZU Lightning Complex fires brought big changes to Big Basin Redwoods State Park, providing an opportunity to reimagine the 120-year-old attraction. One planned change moves the main access point to a park-owned property known as Saddle Mountain.
(07/01/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
Home prices in Santa Cruz County have leveled off in recent months, and have even begun dropping. Multiple listing service data show a two-month decline in prices in the county.
(06/30/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
The city of Santa Cruz will start construction on the second phase of Segment 7 of the multiuse Coast Rail Trail. According to transportation planner Claire Gallogly, the project will add “a great option for those of all ages and abilities to travel without a car.”
(06/30/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is looking for a new director now that Melanie Sobel, the director and program manager, is leaving to run the Denver Animal Shelter. The county plans a national search to find her replacement.
(06/29/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
In a presentation to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Santa Cruz County and Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit Fire Chief Nate Armstrong reviewed the state of county fire services and the outlook for 2022. In short, “It looks grim as always.”
(06/28/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
Vocal neighborhood opponents turned out at a discussion of a Project Homekey project on the border of Aptos, Soquel and Capitola, but so did fervent fans of affordable housing. That project would add 36 units to an area that is unaccustomed to growth.
(06/28/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
After years of indecision prompted by uncovered lead contamination, city leaders have voted to launch the environmental cleanup process on a lower meadow of the Pogonip as early as June 2024.
(06/28/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
California lawmakers have approved a spending plan that includes sending cash to most taxpayers to help offset record-high gas prices. The budget continues a turnaround for the nation’s most populous state, which just two years ago raised taxes and slashed spending.
(06/28/2022) → Read the full The Californian report
Officials say Planned Parenthood’s Mar Monte region are planning for 250 to 500 out-of-state patients seeking abortions each year across its 35 centers. Centers in Watsonville and downtown Santa Cruz are each seeking to hire one full-time provider.
(06/27/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
City officials voted unanimously to expand a contract with the nonprofit hired to operate a homeless shelter program in Delaveaga Park. As early as mid-August, the Salvation Army will open a 60-space shelter program inside National Guard Armory.
(06/27/2022) → Read the full Santa Cruz County Sentinel report
The seasonal fear of summer shark attacks spiked when a swimmer was attacked by a shark while at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove. Then last week came social media footage of a 9½-foot great white spotted in the area of Soquel Cove known as “Shark Park.”
(06/27/2022) → Read the full Lookout Local report
