Santa Monica Police officers issued parking tickets to a bus parked at Lot 5 near Santa Monica Beach on Monday, November 25, 2024. This enforcement action is part of an ongoing protest organized by Emory Rodgers, founder of the Homeless Advocacy for a Constitutional Convention (HACC). The protest, which began on October 29, 2024, highlights what organizers call the "unalienable rights" of unhoused individuals to occupy public property for shelter.
Rodgers, who has received multiple parking tickets daily since the protest started, has been keeping his bus parked overnight in Lot 5, in violation of city regulations. The parking lot closes at sunset, and vehicles are not permitted to remain overnight. Despite these restrictions, Rodgers and HACC maintain their presence, asserting their constitutional right to assemble and redress grievances.
Rodgers, who previously ran for U.S. Senate in California inspired by Bernie Sanders’ progressive platform, emphasized the systemic issues at the heart of the protest. His Senate campaign focused on advocating for education reform, public healthcare, and removing corporate influence from politics. Speaking with Santa Monica Closeup photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz, Rodgers described the protest as a stand against broader societal inequities and a challenge to a system that he claims perpetuates economic disparity and social oppression.
"The system itself is corrupted; it’s not about individual blame," Rodgers said. "This is not just about homelessness; it’s about challenging a system that marginalizes people across all walks of life."
Residents have expressed frustration over the situation, with many describing the lot as a growing encampment. Some community members have taken to social media, urging others to report the overnight parking and camping activity to the Santa Monica Police Department. Critics have also speculated that enforcement of anti-camping bans in neighboring cities like Malibu and Pacific Palisades may be pushing unhoused populations toward Santa Monica.
Monday's enforcement marked one of the most visible actions by authorities since the protest began. Police have suggested that further measures, including towing vehicles, could follow. However, Rodgers, who has secured legal representation, remains undeterred. "We are not enemies of the police or anyone else—we’re simply trying to create a more just and cooperative society," he said.
The Santa Monica Police Department has not released an official statement regarding the protest or its enforcement strategy. Both community members and activists are closely monitoring developments as the situation continues to unfold.
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