[van-announce] Rally Supporting Woodwards Squat

[Sid Tan]

Yo All. Please circulate and see you there. Also, tickets to the Asian
Canadian Writers' Workshop fundraiser on September 29 are still available.
Good meet-and-greet opportunity for a $25 meal at $40! Take care.
anon Sid

SUPPORT THE WOODWARDS SQUAT!!!
Demonstration for Social Housing: Thursday Sept 19, 5pm
At the Woodwards Squat; Corner of Abbot 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 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.

Support messages can be sent care of Lily Loncar at <lloncar at telus.net>

 *** CHOW TAN is legal surname. You can call me SID
               or anything as long as you call me for dinner! ***