[van-announce] PRESS RELEASE: Welfare Action January 5, 2004

[apc at resist.ca]

For Immediate Release

ACTION AGAINST THE WELFARE CUTS!

Monday January 5, 2004 - 2:30 pm
Waterfront welfare office
NE Corner of Main and Powell Streets

The Anti-Poverty Committee and the Housing Action Committee will
participate in an action to draw attention to the upcoming April 1st
welfare cuts as well as the closure of several welfare offices across the
Lower Mainland.

For the last 4 weeks, the two militant anti-poverty groups have visited
welfare offices in hopes of securing exemptions for people facing the
cuts.  On all attempts to access the buildings the welfare recipients,
their advocates and supporters have been meet with police and security
guards.  Offices throughout Vancouver have been effectively closed every
Monday afternoon since.

We denounce the actions taken by the Ministry of Human Resources.  By
closing the offices to the people they are denying their rights to
benefits and appeals.  Management at these buildings have told recipients
wanting to speak to their workers that the offices were closed for
security purposes, even claiming bomb threats and fires.

Jane Hamilton,a welfare recipient who is to lose her benefits this April
1st says, "The real crisis facing welfare workers is their offices being
closed down and their jobs being lost!  The welfare cuts will affect
everyone in this province.  What are we supposed to do when we have no
money for food or shelter? The government says to get a job - there are no
jobs!  They want us to lay down and die, but we're gonna fight!"

Contact:
David Cunningham
604.780.5117
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