[bru-info] **For Immediate Release** Press Release: Skytrain Police Pose Threat to Bus Riders

[bru-info at lists.resist.ca]

March 15, 2006

*****For Immediate Release*****

Skytrain Police Pose Threat to Bus Riders 

BRU to launch campaign against police brutality, racial profiling

Vancouver - The Bus Riders Union calls on TransLink to act immediately to stop all incidents of police brutality and racial profiling in the transit system. Reports of police brutality against transit users have increased in frequency and seriousness in recent months. Explains Jennifer Efting, BRU organizer, "Recent publicity surrounding violent attacks on William Conway and Christy Logeman highlight that the Skytrain police pose a very real threat to members of our community who they claim to protect. Attacks on women and people with disabilities are completely unacceptable". 

Many bus riders have anonymously reported to the Bus Riders Union that they have experienced racial profiling and violence at the hands of Skytrain police.  The Bus Riders Union is a grassroots organization with 900 members fighting to put the needs of transit-dependent people, who are majority women and disproportionately people of colour and aboriginal people, at the centre of public policy. 

In 2004, the Bus Riders Union completed a 9 month participatory research project to examine the experiences of transit dependent women in the GVRD. The report revealed that many women feel unsafe around Skytrain police and have experienced harassment, intimidation and racial profiling from the police. Continues Efting, "Instead of making the needs of bus riders the top priority, TransLink is treating bus riders like criminals for accessing our public transit system. Everyone should have the right to get around without being harassed or intimidated."

In December 2005, the SkyTrain police were given the power to carry semi-automatic weapons, to arrest, and to issue $173 fines for 'fare evasion'.  BRU organizer Yuly Chan notes, "TransLink has the inauspicious distinction of being the first transit authority in the history of Canada to carry handguns. These transit police are justified as protection for women transit users. But the real safety issues for women in transit are long waits at poorly lit bus stops, overcrowded buses, and the recent purchase of polluting, dirty diesel buses."   

The Bus Rider Union will be launching a campaign this spring to disband the skytrain police and cease all racial profiling. Comments Chan, "The BRU is organizing against Skytrain police and racial profiling. These attacks on our communities must stop." 

-30-

Media Contacts:

Zailda Chan (BRU Office): 604-215-2775



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