[van-announce] Woodwards Tent City Under Imminent Attack: Witnesses Needed

[Friends of the Woodwards Squat]

Vancouver, November 25, 2002

Woodwards Tent City Under Imminent Attack: Witnesses Needed

After 73 days of existence, the Woodwards tent city has proven to be by far 
the safest place for homeless people to live in the streets of Vancouver. 
Thanks to generous support and donations, an independent community based on 
mutual aid and respect has been created and sustained.

This community is now under imminent attack and needs your support more than 
ever. The city of Vancouver has obtained an injunction to disperse people 
back to unsafe parks and dark alleys, where isolation threatens their very 
survival. Many organizations have endorsed the existence, continuity and 
demands of the squatters' community. We now depend upon solidarity and 
credibility of outside supporters to assure the basic human rights of the 
squatters be respected. We need you to stand by us as legal observers and 
witnesses.

The first two waves of arrests at the Woodwards Squat and Tent City occurred 
during the night and early morning, on September 21st at 6:00 AM and 
September 22nd at 11:30 PM. As a member of the Woodwards Coalition of 
Squatters and Supporters, the Anti-Poverty Committee has been empowered to 
set up witnessing support shifts during these periods when the squatters 
feel they are the most vulnerable.

We have divided these most critical times in three shifts of 4 hours:

FROM 10:00 PM TO 2:00 AM

FROM 1:30 AM TO 5:30 AM

FROM 5:00 AM TP 9:00 AM

And this every night from November 25th until December 2nd.

The shifts overlap to allow for orientation and introduction of the 
different teams.

The safety of the Woodwards Squatters relies on the presence of credible 
supporters to witness, record, and by their very presence even prevent the 
potential policing actions during the coming week.

We are asking you take on one witnessing shift at the Woodwards Tent City.

Please contact the Anti-Poverty Committee to sign up and co-ordinate your 
very needed presence in the struggle to defend and protect the only concrete 
and accessible alternative to homelessness in Vancouver Downtown East Side. 
Please bring cell phones, cameras and video cameras.

In Solidarity,

Anti-Poverty Committee, member of the Woodwards Coalition of Squatters and 
Supporters

42 Blood Alley Sq. Vancouver BC, Phone: 604-682-2726  Fax: 604-687-4347  
apc at resist.ca

_________________________________________________________________
MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* 
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus