SANTA CRUZ - Two men in their 30s were ticketed on suspicion of lodging as part of the Occupy Santa Cruz protest after deputies found them in a tent near Santa Cruz County Superior Court.

The men were from outside the county and were found about 7:30 a.m. Thursday on the Water Street side of the courthouse, said sheriff's deputy April Skalland.

Demonstrators have been camping in about 100 tents on city land at San Lorenzo Park near the courthouse. Santa Cruz police said they have not issued any tickets in the park for camping or lodging.

"People have the right to protest, but lodging's a completely different story," Skalland said.

Also Thursday, deputies ticketed a homeless man on suspicion of lodging on the grass behind the courthouse, Skalland said. He was not associated with the protest.


Linda's Hearth note: I believe April Scalland's "reasoning" will be disproved in court.