[Wamvan] activists take to the streets in victoria

[Tami Starlight]

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From: Anonymous Remailer (austria) <mixmaster at remailer.privacy.at>
Date: Wed, Jun 22, 2011 at 7:49 AM



Press Release
For Immediate Release

VICTORIA DIRECT ACTION GROUP TAKES A STAND AGAINST THE CRIMINALIZATION OF
POVERTY IN "OPERATION PUBLIC SPACE"

Two hundred "Private Property: No Camping, No Loitering, No Soliciting, No
Trespassing" signs removed or transformed overnight

Victoria, Lekwungen, WSANEC and Esquimalt Territories, June 22, 2011 - A
direct action group called "Operation Public Space" removed or transformed
approximately two hundred signs overnight in Victoria.

The group altered signs on posts and in windows declaring  "Private
Property: No Camping, No Loitering, No Soliciting, No Trespassing". New
signs reading "Public Space: Respect, Justice, Compassion and Community -
Stop the Criminalization of Poverty" were kindly pasted overtop the old
signs.

"These 'private property' signs specifically target people who are living in
poverty and trying to survive on the streets", said an unnamed group member.

In a statement, "Operation Public Space" said: "Only people without roofs
over their heads camp on city streets. Only people without money to shop are
considered 'loiterers'. Only people who are labeled 'unwanted' are
'trespassers'. Businesses are allowed to ask for money all they want, but
when a marginalized person asks for a few coins, they're considered illegal
'solicitors'."

The new signs were designed as a reminder that respect, justice, compassion
and community are needed to work towards real solutions to poverty and
homelessness.

"If Victoria residents don't want to see poor and homeless people, they
should be actively working to fight homelessness and poverty", stated an
"Operation Public Space" member. "Criminalizing poor and homeless people is
not an answer to our community's problems. Instead, it makes the most
marginalized people in our city even more vulnerable, and deepens the
crisis."

"Operation Public Space" said that it hopes the businesses and government
offices that were gifted new signs will consider leaving them in their
windows to express their support for a community free of poverty. The
"operation" is one of thousands of similar creative actions that stimulate
debate and action on community issues. No plants, animals or people were
harmed in the direct action.

- 30 -



-- 
Meegwetch/Thank you/Merci
*Tami M. Starlight*
Vancouver, Canada
tamistarlight at gmail.com
tami.cosmic (facebook)
tami_starlight (twitter)
604-200-2445home
604-790-9943cell
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