All these were made with prayers from the early Mayors of Santa cruz and early Governors of california some of them updated to Modern speech in California
A Prayer for the Golden State
May the favor of Heaven rest upon this land, and may a spirit of peace dwell within every city, from the redwoods to the coast. We ask for the protection of all people—that they may follow their rightful occupations and care for their families without fear of molestation or disturbance. Grant us the rectitude of intention to stand against any form of oppression or "military despotism" that threatens the dignity of our neighbors. May we be a people bound together by the love of truth and the pursuit of self-preservation through community, rather than conflict. We pray for a government that is truly Republican in spirit: That it may secure for all civil and religious liberty; That it may encourage industry, virtue, and literature; That it may leave unshackled the work of our hands—our commerce, our agriculture, and our mechanism—so that all who labor may find prosperity and just reward. Guide our leaders to remember their true calling: May they recognize that they are not masters, but servants; that they are not the source of power, but its guardians. Let the glory of this state be found in the happiness and freedom of its people, and may we never lose the bravery required to defend what is right. In the name of peace, order, and equal rights for all. Amen.
May the favor of Heaven rest upon this land, and may a spirit of peace dwell within every city, from the redwoods to the coast. We ask for the protection of all people—that they may follow their rightful occupations and care for their families without fear of molestation or disturbance. Grant us the rectitude of intention to stand against any form of oppression or "military despotism" that threatens the dignity of our neighbors. May we be a people bound together by the love of truth and the pursuit of self-preservation through community, rather than conflict. We pray for a government that is truly Republican in spirit: That it may secure for all civil and religious liberty; That it may encourage industry, virtue, and literature; That it may leave unshackled the work of our hands—our commerce, our agriculture, and our mechanism—so that all who labor may find prosperity and just reward. Guide our leaders to remember their true calling: May they recognize that they are not masters, but servants; that they are not the source of power, but its guardians. Let the glory of this state be found in the happiness and freedom of its people, and may we never lose the bravery required to defend what is right. In the name of peace, order, and equal rights for all. Amen.
A Proclamation of Prayer for the Coastal Peoples
To all Persons and Citizens from the fog-swept heights of San Francisco to the ancient Redwood cathedrals of Santa Cruz: we request you to remain at peace and to follow your rightful occupations without fear of molestation or the shadows of despair. We give our inviolable pledge to all persons in this Golden State who seek a life of quiet industry: that they shall not be disturbed in their persons, their property, or their social relations by the chaos of the age. We pray that the sanctity of the home and the safety of the street be held as sacred trust, protected from the "despotisms" of neglect and the "tyranny" of indifference. We solemnly declare our object to be: First: To defend the families who were invited to these shores by the promise of a "Republican Government"—a government where the officer is the Servant and the citizen the Guardian. We pray for deliverance from the modern "Military Despotism" of bureaucracy and the "exactions" of waste that ruin and shamefully oppress the laboring people. We ask for a land where the privilege of "buying or renting Lands" is once again a reality for the faithful worker, and not a desert through which we are driven. Second: To invite all peaceable and good Citizens—those friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights—to assist in establishing a spirit that shall secure to all: civil and religious liberty. We pray for a movement that shall: Detect and Punish Crime with swift justice; Encourage Industry, Virtue, and Literature in our schools and libraries; Unshackle from the Fetters of Pollution our Commerce, our Agriculture, and our Mechanism—cleansing our Monterey Bay and our Pacific waters from the "plastics" and poisons that mar the handiwork of the Creator. We further declare that we rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the favor of Heaven, and the bravery of those bound together by the principle of self-preservation and the hatred of corruption. May it be believed that for this State to be "prosperous and happyfying," it must originate with a people friendly to its existence. May the light of the Golden Gate be a signal of truth, and the strength of the Santa Cruz mountains be our resolve. Its Citizens are its Guardians, its Officers are its Servants, and its Glory their reward. Amen.
To all Persons and Citizens from the fog-swept heights of San Francisco to the ancient Redwood cathedrals of Santa Cruz: we request you to remain at peace and to follow your rightful occupations without fear of molestation or the shadows of despair. We give our inviolable pledge to all persons in this Golden State who seek a life of quiet industry: that they shall not be disturbed in their persons, their property, or their social relations by the chaos of the age. We pray that the sanctity of the home and the safety of the street be held as sacred trust, protected from the "despotisms" of neglect and the "tyranny" of indifference. We solemnly declare our object to be: First: To defend the families who were invited to these shores by the promise of a "Republican Government"—a government where the officer is the Servant and the citizen the Guardian. We pray for deliverance from the modern "Military Despotism" of bureaucracy and the "exactions" of waste that ruin and shamefully oppress the laboring people. We ask for a land where the privilege of "buying or renting Lands" is once again a reality for the faithful worker, and not a desert through which we are driven. Second: To invite all peaceable and good Citizens—those friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights—to assist in establishing a spirit that shall secure to all: civil and religious liberty. We pray for a movement that shall: Detect and Punish Crime with swift justice; Encourage Industry, Virtue, and Literature in our schools and libraries; Unshackle from the Fetters of Pollution our Commerce, our Agriculture, and our Mechanism—cleansing our Monterey Bay and our Pacific waters from the "plastics" and poisons that mar the handiwork of the Creator. We further declare that we rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the favor of Heaven, and the bravery of those bound together by the principle of self-preservation and the hatred of corruption. May it be believed that for this State to be "prosperous and happyfying," it must originate with a people friendly to its existence. May the light of the Golden Gate be a signal of truth, and the strength of the Santa Cruz mountains be our resolve. Its Citizens are its Guardians, its Officers are its Servants, and its Glory their reward. Amen.
The 2026 Santa Cruz Manifesto
To everyone living between the redwoods and the Boardwalk: We’re calling on everyone to stay grounded, look out for your neighbors, and keep doing the work that matters without having to constantly look over your shoulder or fear for your survival. Here’s the deal: To everyone in Santa Cruz who isn't out here trying to exploit people—we’ve got your back. We’re pledging that your dignity, your space, and your community won't be messed with by anyone in this movement. We’re here to protect the vibe, not ruin it. We’re taking a stand for two main reasons: First: We’re defending ourselves and our friends who came to this town for the dream of a community that actually cares—a place where we were promised a fair shot and a "government for the people." Instead, we got hit with a housing crisis that feels like economic despotism. We’re being squeezed out of the very neighborhoods we were told we could settle in. We’re being threatened with "eviction notices" and "proclamations" that basically tell us to leave everything behind and disappear because we can’t afford the rent. We’re tired of a system that’s just about "individual aggrandizement" for the people at the top while the people actually doing the work are struggling to buy groceries. Second: We’re inviting every person who’s tired of the chaos and actually wants equal rights to join us. Come meet us at the base of campus or downtown. We’re building something better—a community that actually secures: Real Freedom: Not just on paper, but the freedom to actually live and breathe. Radical Care: Supporting the arts, our local literature, and the mental health of our community. A Clean Future: We’re going to unshackle our coast from the fetters of plastic pollution. We’re talking about a sustainable local economy that protects the Monterey Bay and respects the land we’re standing on. We’re doing this because our intentions are right, we’ve got the spirit of the forest behind us, and we’re done with the tyranny of "how it's always been." Let’s be real: A city only thrives when the people living in it actually want it to exist. The people are the Guardians of Santa Cruz; the officials are just the Servants. The real glory of this town is us—the community. Stay stoked. Stay radical.
To everyone living between the redwoods and the Boardwalk: We’re calling on everyone to stay grounded, look out for your neighbors, and keep doing the work that matters without having to constantly look over your shoulder or fear for your survival. Here’s the deal: To everyone in Santa Cruz who isn't out here trying to exploit people—we’ve got your back. We’re pledging that your dignity, your space, and your community won't be messed with by anyone in this movement. We’re here to protect the vibe, not ruin it. We’re taking a stand for two main reasons: First: We’re defending ourselves and our friends who came to this town for the dream of a community that actually cares—a place where we were promised a fair shot and a "government for the people." Instead, we got hit with a housing crisis that feels like economic despotism. We’re being squeezed out of the very neighborhoods we were told we could settle in. We’re being threatened with "eviction notices" and "proclamations" that basically tell us to leave everything behind and disappear because we can’t afford the rent. We’re tired of a system that’s just about "individual aggrandizement" for the people at the top while the people actually doing the work are struggling to buy groceries. Second: We’re inviting every person who’s tired of the chaos and actually wants equal rights to join us. Come meet us at the base of campus or downtown. We’re building something better—a community that actually secures: Real Freedom: Not just on paper, but the freedom to actually live and breathe. Radical Care: Supporting the arts, our local literature, and the mental health of our community. A Clean Future: We’re going to unshackle our coast from the fetters of plastic pollution. We’re talking about a sustainable local economy that protects the Monterey Bay and respects the land we’re standing on. We’re doing this because our intentions are right, we’ve got the spirit of the forest behind us, and we’re done with the tyranny of "how it's always been." Let’s be real: A city only thrives when the people living in it actually want it to exist. The people are the Guardians of Santa Cruz; the officials are just the Servants. The real glory of this town is us—the community. Stay stoked. Stay radical.
2026 Proclamation to the Citizens of Santa Cruz County
To all Persons and Citizens of Santa Cruz County: We call upon you to remain at peace with one another and to pursue your rightful callings—whether in the fields, the classrooms, the shops, or the surf—without fear of being uprooted or exploited. The People of this County give their inviolable pledge: To every neighbor not seeking to harm others, you shall not be disturbed. Your dignity, your property, and your social bonds are sacred. We stand together to ensure that no one under our watch is "molested" by the hardships of neglect or the "military despotism" of rising costs that threaten to drive us from our homes. We solemnly declare our objectives to be: FIRST: To defend ourselves and our families who were drawn to this Monterey Bay by the promise of a sustainable, "Republican Government" that serves the many and not the few. We find ourselves instead in a time where many are denied the privilege of "buying or renting Lands" in the very places they work. We see a system that has "seized upon the property" of our shared future for individual profit, threatening our workers and students with a modern-day "extermination" from the county—forcing families into the "deserts" of displacement. We stand to overthrow the indifference that has "ruined and shamefully oppressed" the laboring people of Santa Cruz. SECOND: To invite every good Citizen of Santa Cruz County—all who are friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights—to join us in establishing a community that shall secure: Civil and Environmental Liberty: A future where our Monterey Bay is "unshackled from the fetters" of plastic pollution and our air is cleared of toxins. A Culture of Growth: Encouraging not just industry, but virtue, literature, and the arts in every neighborhood. True Justice: A system that detects and punishes crime while treating every citizen as a "Guardian" of the law. We further declare that we rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the favor of Heaven, and the collective bravery of those who hate tyranny in all its forms—whether it be the tyranny of a person or the tyranny of a broken system. Heed this truth: For Santa Cruz to be truly "prosperous and happyfying," the power must originate with You, the people. The Citizens are the Guardians of this Coast; the Officers are merely our Servants. Our community’s happiness is their only true reward. By the People, for the County.
To all Persons and Citizens of Santa Cruz County: We call upon you to remain at peace with one another and to pursue your rightful callings—whether in the fields, the classrooms, the shops, or the surf—without fear of being uprooted or exploited. The People of this County give their inviolable pledge: To every neighbor not seeking to harm others, you shall not be disturbed. Your dignity, your property, and your social bonds are sacred. We stand together to ensure that no one under our watch is "molested" by the hardships of neglect or the "military despotism" of rising costs that threaten to drive us from our homes. We solemnly declare our objectives to be: FIRST: To defend ourselves and our families who were drawn to this Monterey Bay by the promise of a sustainable, "Republican Government" that serves the many and not the few. We find ourselves instead in a time where many are denied the privilege of "buying or renting Lands" in the very places they work. We see a system that has "seized upon the property" of our shared future for individual profit, threatening our workers and students with a modern-day "extermination" from the county—forcing families into the "deserts" of displacement. We stand to overthrow the indifference that has "ruined and shamefully oppressed" the laboring people of Santa Cruz. SECOND: To invite every good Citizen of Santa Cruz County—all who are friendly to the maintenance of good order and equal rights—to join us in establishing a community that shall secure: Civil and Environmental Liberty: A future where our Monterey Bay is "unshackled from the fetters" of plastic pollution and our air is cleared of toxins. A Culture of Growth: Encouraging not just industry, but virtue, literature, and the arts in every neighborhood. True Justice: A system that detects and punishes crime while treating every citizen as a "Guardian" of the law. We further declare that we rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the favor of Heaven, and the collective bravery of those who hate tyranny in all its forms—whether it be the tyranny of a person or the tyranny of a broken system. Heed this truth: For Santa Cruz to be truly "prosperous and happyfying," the power must originate with You, the people. The Citizens are the Guardians of this Coast; the Officers are merely our Servants. Our community’s happiness is their only true reward. By the People, for the County.
Modern Mayor’s Prayer
Look, Santa Cruz isn't some massive metropolis, and we like it that way. We’re local-to-the-core, and we’re stoked to be part of a community that actually values freedom and looks out for each other. We really hope everyone—even the tourists—takes a second to just be here. Go hit the Westside cliffs, catch the sunset from the top of the Pogonip, and just look out over the bay. Let’s make sure we’re spending time in the redwoods, staying grounded in those ancient solitudes, and fighting like hell to protect the old-growth giants that have been here way longer than us. Our loyalty isn’t to some distant power; it’s to the values we build right here—the right to live sustainably, to speak our truth, and to keep this place weird and free. May this town always spark that fire in your head to keep pushing for justice and keeping the vibe right. The people are the guardians; the city is the soul. Keep it radical.
Look, Santa Cruz isn't some massive metropolis, and we like it that way. We’re local-to-the-core, and we’re stoked to be part of a community that actually values freedom and looks out for each other. We really hope everyone—even the tourists—takes a second to just be here. Go hit the Westside cliffs, catch the sunset from the top of the Pogonip, and just look out over the bay. Let’s make sure we’re spending time in the redwoods, staying grounded in those ancient solitudes, and fighting like hell to protect the old-growth giants that have been here way longer than us. Our loyalty isn’t to some distant power; it’s to the values we build right here—the right to live sustainably, to speak our truth, and to keep this place weird and free. May this town always spark that fire in your head to keep pushing for justice and keeping the vibe right. The people are the guardians; the city is the soul. Keep it radical.
2026 Proclamation: The Santa Cruz Slug Manifesto
To all Persons and Citizens of Santa Cruz County: We’re calling on every one of you—from the forest dwellers in the San Lorenzo Valley to the surfers at the Hook—to stay grounded and peaceful. We’re here to protect your right to live, work, and exist in this space without fear of being pushed out or polluted out. The People of this County give their inviolable pledge: To every neighbor who respects the land and the community, you will not be disturbed. Your dignity and your right to a healthy life are sacred. We stand together to ensure no one is "molested" by the modern-day "tyranny" of unbreathable air, toxic water, or the economic forces trying to drive us into the desert of displacement. We solemnly declare our objectives to be: FIRST: To defend the Air, the Water, and the Bay. We came to this "Holy Cross" for the promise of a life in harmony with nature. Instead, we see our Monterey Bay shackled by the "fetters" of plastic pollution and our Air compromised by the very systems that claim to serve us. We declare that the Water is a common right, not a commodity for "individual aggrandizement." We stand to protect the sanctuary of the Bay, ensuring the kelp forests and the sea life are never sacrificed to the "Military Despotism" of corporate waste. SECOND: To protect the culture of the Coast. We invite every "good citizen" who loves the maintenance of equal rights and good order to join us in establishing a community that shall secure: The Right to the Surf: Protecting our breaks and our beaches as public cathedrals where we find our peace. Environmental Liberty: A Santa Cruz County where the "Mechanism" of our city—our buses, our bikes, and our buildings—runs clean, leaving our air as pure as the forest morning. Radical Sustainability: Unshackling our Agriculture and our Commerce from the "Plastics" that mar the handiwork of the earth. We further declare that we rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the spirit of the Redwoods, and the bravery of those who refuse to let the "exactions" of high rent and pollution ruin the laboring people of this county. Heed this truth: For Santa Cruz to be truly "prosperous and happyfying," it must be governed by the people who actually love the land. The Citizens are the Guardians of this sanctuary; the Officers are merely our Servants. The real glory of Santa Cruz is found in a clean wave, a deep breath of sea air, and a community that refuses to be silent. Stay Radical. Protect the Bay. Power to the Slugs
To all Persons and Citizens of Santa Cruz County: We’re calling on every one of you—from the forest dwellers in the San Lorenzo Valley to the surfers at the Hook—to stay grounded and peaceful. We’re here to protect your right to live, work, and exist in this space without fear of being pushed out or polluted out. The People of this County give their inviolable pledge: To every neighbor who respects the land and the community, you will not be disturbed. Your dignity and your right to a healthy life are sacred. We stand together to ensure no one is "molested" by the modern-day "tyranny" of unbreathable air, toxic water, or the economic forces trying to drive us into the desert of displacement. We solemnly declare our objectives to be: FIRST: To defend the Air, the Water, and the Bay. We came to this "Holy Cross" for the promise of a life in harmony with nature. Instead, we see our Monterey Bay shackled by the "fetters" of plastic pollution and our Air compromised by the very systems that claim to serve us. We declare that the Water is a common right, not a commodity for "individual aggrandizement." We stand to protect the sanctuary of the Bay, ensuring the kelp forests and the sea life are never sacrificed to the "Military Despotism" of corporate waste. SECOND: To protect the culture of the Coast. We invite every "good citizen" who loves the maintenance of equal rights and good order to join us in establishing a community that shall secure: The Right to the Surf: Protecting our breaks and our beaches as public cathedrals where we find our peace. Environmental Liberty: A Santa Cruz County where the "Mechanism" of our city—our buses, our bikes, and our buildings—runs clean, leaving our air as pure as the forest morning. Radical Sustainability: Unshackling our Agriculture and our Commerce from the "Plastics" that mar the handiwork of the earth. We further declare that we rely upon the rectitude of our intentions, the spirit of the Redwoods, and the bravery of those who refuse to let the "exactions" of high rent and pollution ruin the laboring people of this county. Heed this truth: For Santa Cruz to be truly "prosperous and happyfying," it must be governed by the people who actually love the land. The Citizens are the Guardians of this sanctuary; the Officers are merely our Servants. The real glory of Santa Cruz is found in a clean wave, a deep breath of sea air, and a community that refuses to be silent. Stay Radical. Protect the Bay. Power to the Slugs
— William B. Ide, Head Quarters Sonoma, June 15, 1846
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