[news] APC confronts Mr.Sub slumlord

[Big Garlic Bobcat]

attn: flying squad meets 5pm APC office, Friday Feb. 14th


ANTI-POVERTY COMMITTEE, VANCOUVER
42 blood alley, 682-2726
APC CONFRONTS MR.SUB SLUMLORD: PETER STAIJERS
Thursday February 13th 2003

The Anti-Poverty Committee fights for the rights of poor and homeless 
people.  On Feb.12 APC member Tim was evicted from his place of dwelling 
illegally.   The eviction notice was verbal, non-legally binding, and gave 7 
days notice for vacating the premises, rather than the proper time (which is 
1 full month).  Under the Residential Tenancy Act, it is illegal for a 
landlord to evict a tenant without proper procedure.  The reason for  
terminating Tim's tenancy was because another homeless youth was sleeping on 
the floor of his 100 square foot (no toilet or kitchen) apartment.  Tim pays 
$375 a month.

An APC caseworker tried to speak via phone with landlord Peter Staijers, but 
he hung up continuously.  PIVOT lawyer John Richardson phoned Peter on 
Wednesday afternoon to no avail either.   Land owner Peter Staijers owns and 
operates the Mr. Sub at Renfrew and Broadway among other businesses.  A 
delegation of APC members went to Mr. Sub on Wednesday night and delivered a 
letter of notice.  Mr. Staijers was ordered by APC to re-instate Tims 
tenancy immediately.

Mr. Staijers refused to cooperate.  APC discovered that Mr.Staijers property 
may not be legally zoned to house tenants.  Not only is he stealing from the 
poor, evicting them to the streets, profiting off slum housing, but he may 
also not be legally licensed to house tenants.

At 1:15 Feb. 12th, a flying squad (APC emergency response team), went out to 
Mr. Sub at Renfrew and Broadway.  For 45 minutes APC shut down Mr. Sub.  Mr. 
Staijers tried to bargain, but did not meet our demand of refunding Tim for 
two months rent ($750) plus a return on the damage deposit.  APC turned away 
customers, yelled chants, and thoroughly disrupted business.  Mr. Staijers 
(who was at Mr. Sub when we got there) was thoroughly upset at the situation 
yet bitterly refused to cooperate.

APC vows to return to shut down the Mr. Sub at Broadway and Renfrew.  The 
message to Mr. Staijers is the same one we will put out to all people who 
actively profit off the oppression and homelessness of the people we defend. 
  APC is bad for business.  We will continue to educate Mr. Staijers through 
escalating tactics that it is not worth his time to force Tim on to the 
streets.

Having made our point,  APC left after one hour voluntarily.  We decided 
when the battle will end, and left fully armed.  We will disrupt Mr. Sub 
again, soon, with more people, and for a longer period of time.  Get 
involved.

-APC DIRECT ACTION CASEWORK TEAM, TIM AND FLYING SQUAD
(If you wish to get involved with the weekday actions of APC flying squads, 
or are in need of help, call the Anti-Poverty Committee at 682-2726.  We 
need doers).



BIG GARLIC BOBCAT
revolution is hairy, and vicious with big teeth.  Revolution smells like 
garlic.  Revolution is a big garlic bobcat.




_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. 
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus