July 5th, 2004
PSA- Please distribute this information.

Today the recently opened Anarchist Infoshop at 509 Broadway was served
a one month notice of terminating our rental contract with the Resource
Center for Nonviolence. This came as much of a surprise to us, because
until today we have not received any warning or notice of complaints.

In a scheduled meeting with an infoshop volunteer, Bob Fitch (RCNV property
manager), handed over the letter and informed us that he was terminating
our rental agreement and that it was not negotiable. He went on to list
a series of complaints about our use of the space, claiming there were
two pages of them (though he won't provide us with the list). Bob says
that our presence in the space, and 'our smell' is interfering with his
ability to rent the adjacent offices. He also explained that if his decision
was challenged by a sit-down or occupation of the space, money for all
the RCNV's legal fees would be charged to the individual who signed our
lease.

We are asking people to call/write Bob and the Resource Center for Nonviolence
in support of us keeping the space here, though the situation doesn't
look at all hopeful.
RCNV email: information (at) rcnv.org / phone: 831-423-1626
Bob’s email: bobfitch (at) rcnv.org

If we are forced to vacate our space at 509 Broadway, we will do everything
we can to start up again in a new location. Anyone who knows of a potential
rental situation, or who could share space with us, please get in touch.


One idea is to get a group of people together to start a new co-op house
in town, with the infoshop incorporated within it. (in the living room,
etc?). The house could be a lively venue for community happenings like
open mics, potluck dinners, movie nights, touring events, live music
(?), have a wonderful garden and much-needed space for local projects,
etc. Of course for a co-op to happen, we need a good house (we could
do a lot of fixin' up), and people who are willing to be renters. (or
a house we could somehow purchase or use?) Once again, get in touch if
you're interested!

We've been located at 509 Broadway for about four months now, and we
were just getting settled in. If you haven't been by the infoshop before,
please come by and check out the space. We'll still be open seven days
a week 3pm-7pm until the end of July. If the infoshop is something you
value having in this town, consider helping us find a new location.

Those of you who have library materials checked out, please be sure to
return them in the next few weeks. Also, the anarchist lending library
will need a temporary home/storage space after we loose ours. (So if
anyone really likes to read...)

What is the infoshop?
We house(d) a community lending library, zines and books for sale, a
collection of locally foraged herbs and tea for free use, free computer/internet
access, meeting space for local groups, and the only existing public
center in town to get connected with local radical projects and community.
The infoshop has a focus on anarchist theory and analysis towards inspiring
direct action with a radical anti-authoritarian critique of the existent
social order. We want to make a space that will connect various projects
and social cliques and provide a springboard for local action, to create
momentum.
We feel that some form of public space like our infoshop is essential
to developing a revolutionary community in Santa Cruz, and we are very
sad (angry) to be losing our space. But we're not easily discouraged,
and if enough people in this big town want it to happen, a new infoshop
can take root.

Thanks to anyone who has supported us in these past few months.
And no thanks to the Resource Center for Nonviolence and associated tenants
for not even communicating with us about their concerns.

~Infoshop collective
contact us via email - infoshop (at) hushmail.com
or come by the space, at 509 Broadway. (next to the intersection of Broadway
& Ocean St.)