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Press Release: Last Albany Bulb Residents Arrested at Gunpoint, Their Home Destroyed; They Plan to Sleep on Solano Avenue

From Osha Neumann
Friday May 30, 2014 - 09:55:00 AM

At 4 AM this morning, a large contingent of Albany police, some carrying guns including assault rifles raided the campsite of the two last residents of the Albany Bulb, Amber Whitson and Philip Lewis, and arrested them along with a supporter, Erik Eisenberg. All three were charged with misdemeanor violations of California Penal Code 647(e), which prohibits lodging. 

Although they all had valid identification on them, the police claimed that they did not and they were taken to Santa Rita jail, where they were held for approximately 6 hours and then released. 

Ms. Whitson’s and Mr. Lewis’ dogs were taken by the police to the Berkeley animal shelter. 

After their arrest, their dwelling was destroyed; the remains of it are still at the site on the Bulb. 

Ms. Whitson has been one of the most vocal advocates for Bulb Residents for many years. She and Mr. Lewis have lived on the Bulb since 2006. 

Ms. Whitson and Mr. Lewis now have no home to go to and plan to spend the night on the sidewalk in front of the California Bank and Trust at 1451 Solano Ave, Albany. 

For further information, contact them there, or at their campsite on the Bulb, where they plan to be during the day.