[news] Safety and Health Emergency in the Downtown eastside

[mirth at resist.ca]

The Anti-Poverty Committee is calling on allies and supporters of people
living in poverty to lend support to the people of the DTES.

Since the morning of Monday, April 7, 2003 residents and homeless
persons of the Downtown Eastside have been living under siege.  50
police have been re-allocated to the DTES from community policing
stations whose funding was cut by the provincial government.  Under the
pretext of the War on Drugs the city police have invaded our community
and are holding us all hostage: the streets are lined with people up
against the walls being illegally searched; people are stopped for
looking poor and their belongings are confiscated.  The police say their
sweeps are targeting drug dealers but the reality is that they are
indiscriminate in their intimidation.

The harsh reality is the impact on the physical health of people in the
DTES.  Health professionals, street nurses, doctors, cannot access their
clients, and provide health care,  because there clients are constantly
harassed every time by police for living and working in the DTES.  The
health crisis lies in the fact the needle exhanges have dropped by more
than half, condom distribution has dropped by more that half, and people
are not accessing the health centers and health professionals because of
the high risk of being detained, searched and arrested.

For the Two weeks, in response to the 50 new police patrolling the
downtown east side streets, a safe place at 327 Carol st for people to
take refuge off the streets has been opened. We have been operating on
volunteer donations, of supplies and people’s time.
The space provides sanctuary and safety for people under constant
harassment by the police. There is opportunity to exchange needles,
access a Nurse, access medical aid and have something warm to drink.
The police say their sweeps are targeting drug dealers but the reality
is that they are indiscriminate in their intimidation
Every night Witness Shifts equipped with cameras and legal right cards,
walk East Hastings observing the police and informing people of their
legal rights when being detained and searched by the police. These
shifts happen from 10 pm- 2am. They prevent the police from using
excessive force and unneccassery questioning of people who live and work
in the Downtown eastside

To keep this space running we rely on donations and volunteer support.
We need monetary donations, and donations of these supplies for the safe
place.

Coffee, Cream, Sugar
Snacks, cookies, sandwiches, fruit.
Juice or Juice Crystals
Styrofoam Cups
Tobacco
Cleaning Supplies, napkins
Blankets, socks and jackets
Feminine Supplies
Art Supplies
First Aid Supplies
Disposable camera’s for the witness shifts

To Volunteer or make a donation please call The Anti-Poverty Committee
604-682-2726,  42 Blood Alley.