[van-announce] Support the Woodwards Squat!!! Thursday Sept 19, 5pm

[Violetta Sera]

Support the Woodwards Squat!!!
Demonstration for Social Housing: Thursday Sept 19, 5pm
At the Woodwards Squat: Corner of Abbott and Hastings

The Woodwards building was opened for free housing on Saturday September 
14th by a group of housing activists and squatters from all around 
Vancouver. On Monday, September 16th, the squatters were issued a court 
injunction that was followed on Tuesday with an enforcement order. Police 
Inspector Ken Frail asked the squatters to come up with a plan that would 
result in a swift and peaceful resolution. The squatters developed the idea 
of a meeting with crucial decision making parties and five accompanying 
demands. They are refusing to leave until their demands are met.

DEMANDS:

We demand a meeting at 5pm on Thursday September 19th between BC Housing; 
City Council; Jeffrey Hughes, the private partner interested in buying the 
building; Housing Minister George Abbott; Premier Gordon Campbell; and all 
of the squatters. The squatters feel that a meeting with all of these 
crucial groups is the only way to resolve this problem peacefully.

1. Develop the Woodwards building into social housing immediately.
2. Reverse the cuts to social housing and all social services.
3. Draft a civic anti-vacancy by-law to seize and convert empty buildings 
into social housing.
4. Full disclosure of all information regarding the proposed sale and 
development of the building.
5. Decent and dignified immediate shelter for all homeless squatters asked 
to leave the building.

If the squatters are forcibly removed without resolution they have promised 
that they will return and continue the fight for social housing. Further to 
the demands, the squatters require binding agreements that would guarantee 
that promises for social housing in Woodwards are not backed out on for the 
fourth time in ten years.

THE WOODWARDS SQUAT NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT!

With police pressure mounting and the political effect of the squat on the 
Liberals mounting, it is absolutely essential that we show the demands and 
the struggle have massive and diverse support throughout the city. It is 
important that when the officials come to the meeting at the squat on 
Thursday at five, they are greeted with a huge crowd that will not settle 
for any more stalls or excuses in the development of Woodwards into social 
housing. If the political and business representatives do not show up, it is 
equally important that a large rally exists to embarrass them.

The squat also needs donations of:
Food, money, blankets, mattresses, and tobacco.

In solidarity;

The Woodwards Squat.


...


Occupation Photographs
http://www.downtowneastside.ca/hot.html
http://ontario.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=12087&group=webcast


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