[van-announce] (no subject)

[jessica at resist.ca]

***Apologies for Cross-postings***

--please forward--

Call Out To Support Community Members Arrested at
Britannia Police Riot

Please come out and show your support for activists arrested at the Oct.
3, 2002  demonstration at the Britannia Community Centre.
Seven community members are on trial including journalist Murray
Bush and minister George Feenstra.  It is very important for people to
come out and bear witness to this attempt by the Vancouver
Police and BC Liberal government to repress political dissent and to
normalize police brutality.

When:   Trial Starts Dec. 1 at 9:30 am (and continuing for 12 days)
Where: Adult Criminal Court – 222 Main Street Room 513

Background:

On October 3, 2002, a peaceful demonstration was held at
Britannia Community Centre/Canucks Family Literacy Centre.
People gathered outside to protest because Gordon Campbell was
invited to open a new Literacy Centre.  The opening was invitation only
and the majority of the community was excluded from
attending.  The demonstration was organized by Britannia parents,
and other community groups, as a protest against government cuts
to education and childcare.

The protest began as a very relaxed affair and Campbell had
already cancelled his attendance, but the atmosphere changed
when United Church minister and children’s clown George Feenstra
was arrested and brutalized by the Vancouver Police.  The crowd
voiced their objection to this unlawful arrest and assault, and the police
responded with violence.  In total, 9 people were arrested, including 2
juveniles.  Journalist Murray Bush was arrested while
attempting to assist a child who was being assaulted by the
Vancouver Police.

They took us in a paddy wagon to the back of the Canadian Tire
parking lot, Murray said.  There were at least 20 police officers in the
parking lot and two paddy wagons and several police cars.  We
were kept in the parking lot for about two hours.  We were taken
out of the paddy wagon for 5 or 6 minutes each and had our
personal belongings taken.  Our handcuffs were double locked.
Two of the people in the van were juveniles, one of them was the
child. They were also handcuffed behind theirbacks.

Murray recalls that when they opened the door of the wagon, some
of the police started shouting and swearing.  They were addressing the
young man sitting next to him in the paddy wagon.  "That's the fucking
one," one of the officers shouted. "Why don't you get out
and we'll settle this now, tough guy" Murray heard the policeman
scream, while at least 20 other policemen stood by, many joining
in. The agitated officer finally said, "that's okay, we know where you
live, we'll take you out." Vancouver Police now deny that the
incident ever took place.

The mistreatment continued at the jail: the arrestees were
stripsearched, asked if they were "professional agitators," refused access
to lawyers, and held in overcrowded cells.  Murray was held for 26 hours.
The prisoners were required to sign conditions prior to release including
no contact with the other arrestees, and
preventing arrestees from being within 2 blocks of Gordon
Campbell.  These types of conditions are being used more
frequently by the state in attempt to break political organizations and
dissent.


Please attend this trial to demonstrate your support for the
Britannia 9 and to show the government and police that we have a
right to political dissent and a right to take a stand against police
harassment and brutality in our communities.

For More information contact on the trial support:

Maryann at edoherty at portal.ca or 604-877-1223