Personal info for Sacramento council members posted online as homeless protest escalates

The home addresses and phone numbers for members of the Sacramento City Council were posted on a website late Monday, and anonymous supporters of a homeless protest outside City Hall are promoting the information on social media.

A separate post contained the city-issued email addresses for Police Department personnel and names of high-ranking police officials.

It’s unclear who was behind the postings. But Twitter accounts linked to the international hacking group Anonymous and the Operation Right To Rest movement – both of which are supporting the activists trying to overturn the city’s anti-camping ordinance – posted the links on social media. The international hacking group Anonymous has produced three videos threatening the city of Sacramento if the camping ordinance is not repealed.

Sacramento Police Chief Sam Somers Jr. said his department is aware of the postings.

“We take everything very seriously and we’re looking into it as we do anything that could be a threat,” Somers said.

Much of the information appears to be accessible from public websites and much of the personal information for the elected officials is inaccurate. Somers said, “Right now, we have no information that a hack (of the city’s website) has taken place.”

James “Faygo” Clark, a spokesman and organizer of the homeless camp outside City Hall, could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning. Clark said Tuesday he was starting a hunger strike and would not eat solid foods until homeless campers are included on a new City Council task force on homelessness formed by Mayor Kevin Johnson last week.

The postings were revealed as the monthlong standoff between city officials and homeless campers has grown increasingly tense. More than 40 campers appeared in City Council Chambers on Tuesday night for the council’s weekly meeting and most testified, urging the council to overturn an illegal camping ordinance they argue violates the human rights of the homeless.

City officials say they have no intention of repealing the ordinance, arguing it is necessary to safeguard public health. Officials also say they are focusing on long-term solutions to homelessness, including building more permanent housing with on-site counseling and services.

An increase in spending has not appeased the homeless activists. Some of those who testified yelled at the council Tuesday night. At one point, council members retreated into a back room at City Hall for a five-minute recess.

As protesters left Council Chambers at the end of the meeting, one held up both of his middle fingers at the City Council while others yelled, “No justice, no peace.”

More than 10 homeless activists have been arrested and taken into police custody since they began their protest Dec. 8. Several more have been issued citations.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 10:46 AM.