[van-announce] UPDATE for Woodwards Legal Defense

[jessica]

*** Meeting for those who were assaulted or lost property at WoodSquat 
(Sept 21/22, 2002) ***
-- hold the Police and City accountable and get money for it (We hope!)
-- FEBRUARY 14 @2pm at the LifeSkills Centre (412 E. Cordova St., 
across from Oppenheimer Park)

WOODWARDS LEGAL DEFENSE UPDATE -- February 2003

Taking the VPD and City of Vancouver to Task

On November 7, 2002, the Civil Contempt of Court charges against the 
"Woodwards 54" were dropped by the BC Supreme Court.  The Woodwards 
Legal Defense Committee (WDLC) is now focussing its efforts and 
resources on holding the Vancouver Police Department and the City of 
Vancouver accountable for their actions inside of Woodwards on 
September 21, 2002 and outside of Woodwards on September 22, 2002.  
Police brutality enacted upon squatters & their supporters, and the 
loss of squatters' property are outstanding issues from these two days 
in September.

The Woodwards Legal Defense Committee has met with several lawyers to 
determine the best course of redress for these issues.  In order to 
hold them accountable for brutality and loss of property, we will be 
assisting individuals in suing the VPD and the City of Vancouver in 
Small Claims Court.  This is a civil court action which does not 
require the presence of lawyers (ever seen the People's Court or Judge 
Judy on TV?) and the Legal Defense Committee is able to assist and/or 
represent people in Court and in filing the forms necessary for this 
process.

All court fees will be covered by the existing Woodwards Legal Defense 
Fund and folks who were assaulted by the Police or who lost property 
may be awarded cash settlements $$.

TIMELINE

There will be a meeting/workshop to fill out forms on February 14 at 
the LifeSkills Centre (412 E. Cordova St.) @ 2pm.  Anyone who wants to 
sue the City or VPD must attend or contact the Legal Defense Committee 
at woodwards-legal-defense at lists.resist.ca or ask at the APC or 
LifeSkills office for one of us.

Claims will be served to the VPD and the City on March 15, the 
International Day Against Police Brutality, and a press conference will 
be likely be held on this day.  The next month will be spent working on 
filling out the necessary forms.

It will take approximately 2 months to get through the court system -- 
be processed, serve the documents and go to court.

More information and downloadable forms about civil actions are 
available at:  www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts

EVIDENCE

The Legal Defense Committee is collecting photos, video and other 
materials that might be useful as evidence in this process.  Please 
contact us if you have evidence to contribute:  
woodwards-legal-defense at lists.resist.ca

THE $100 AWARD APPEAL

Those who were arrested inside of Woodwards on September 21 were 
awarded costs by BC Supreme Court, payable by BC Housing Corp.  
Unfortunately, BC Housing is appealing this decision.  This is why no 
one has received their $100 cheques.   A court date will likely be set 
for March which will resolve this issue and there are lawyers who will 
be representing us.  Stay tuned for results on this issue.

--Woodwards Legal Defense Committee