Saturday 27 April 2013

DAY 36 - HUNGER STRIKE ENDS



DTES hunger strike ends after 36 days

VANCOUVER, Coast Salish Territories - 'Homeless' Dave called off his hunger strike tonight after a five-week bid for social housing.  Dave and some of his supporters made the announcement outside the Pidgin Restaurant in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) where he first launched his solo campaign against gentrification.  

Hunger strike supporter Wendy Pedersen explained that “Dave has now lost so much weight that his health is in danger. We convinced him it is the community's time to step up and lead the campaign." Dave's three demands are for 100% social housing at the controversial Sequel 138 condo project on Hastings and at the city-owned former 'cop shop' on Main Street, and that the City of Vancouver declare the Downtown Eastside a Social Justice Zone. Supporters vowed to continue the fight.

The "Closing Ceremonies" for the hunger strike held this evening included a rousing rendition of 'Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around' and street theatre involving a skeleton "killed by City Hall."

Throughout the hunger strike, Dave called on Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Vision Vancouver to address the social housing/gentrification crisis in the DTES. After finally forcing a meeting with Robertson on Day 33, Dave was told "no to the demands." Vision Councillor Andrea Reimer dismissed Dave's 36-day hunger strike as "a theatrical exercise.”  

After meeting with Robertson, Dave said, "the mayor doesn’t care, and that doesn't bode well for our community: his lack of respect pushes us to be even more confrontational.”  Dave said he “cannot compete with the developers at City Hall” and he now “needs to get back into fighting shape.”    

A community celebration is being planned for Dave, with invitations going out to the many community supporters who worked so hard on his campaign and the groups and leaders such as Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Cecilia Point of the Musqueam Nation who endorse the hunger strike demands.   

Contact:   Wendy Pedersen 604-839-0379

Wednesday 24 April 2013

DAY 33 - Supporters beg for an ending



Compare the treatment of hunger striker and supporters at city hall on day 33:

Councillor Andrea Reimer (Vision Vancouver): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htjsjd2mAa0

Councillor Adriane Carr (Green): 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s35zp-jhiJA

Monday 22 April 2013

DAY 32: Homeless Dave and supporters to picket new controversial site


Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories:   Today is Day #32 of “Homeless Dave’s” Hunger Strike, he has lost a lot of weight (21 pounds as of Day #28) and his health is deteriorating.  Because time is running out, Time is running out for Dave and for the hunger strike demands to be met.  Dave is still drinking 375ml of “Happy Planet” juice a day plus sage tea.

As of today, the daily picket is expanding to a new controversial site as a way to seek resolution to the demands and end this hunger strike.   

Where:  To be announced either at the corner of Hastings and Main at 5:30pm or call 604-839-0379 or 604-790-9943 at that time (not earlier) to find out the location.

When:  Monday, April 22th PM at 5:30pm


More info:  Wendy 604-839-0379; Tami 604-790-9943


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Friday 19 April 2013

DAY 29

Dave is sick today and will be staying home to recuperate.  He has a fever and a cold.   Please keep him in your thoughts.  

Pickets are still on for noon-2 and 6-7, and Tim Louis of COPE will be visiting the picket at noon.    Anyone who wants to strategize about the next steps for the hunger strike, come down and huddle under the tent today from noon to 2pm at the Sequel site.    Probably won't move over to Cop Shop in the rain.  

Thursday 18 April 2013

DAY 28: Hunger Striker “weighs-in” at Vancity headquarters


April 18, 2013

Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories:   At 1pm today, about a dozen DTES residents arrived at Vancity’s head office with formerly “Homeless Dave,” who is on the 28th day of his hunger strike.  Dave carried a sign saying:  “Vancity, be ethical, don’t endorse Sequel 138 condos.”

The delegation was greeted outside in the wind and rain by SVP, Business Development and Community Engagement, Linda Morris.  Residents asked if they could meet inside the lobby and after sizing up the group, Vancity reps decided to let them in, but did not offer a space to meet, so the interaction happened next to the doors in the lobby.

“You can’t say that you are not at fault because other banks are doing this too.  Other banks support the Enbridge Pipeline and you don’t, so it’s no excuse,” said Homeless Dave after Morris explained that Vancity gives mortgages to people who might want to buy a condo at the controversial project that 1000’s of residents have opposed and organized against over the last 2 years.

Therese, a senior who lives in social housing, explained why she won’t support unethical projects like Sequel 138 and Vancity’s condo project at 60 W Cordova.  She said, “I live near the condos (60 W Cordova) and I notice there are stores nearby now that sell $12,000 couches.  The message I get from that is ‘you don’t belong here’.  There is something jaded about how these stores advertise.  It’s like the contrast been rich and poor is charming.”

Dave said that given the state of housing in the area, Vancity shouldn’t write on their website that he should quit his hunger strike.  He said: “If you really cared about me and the community, why didn’t you come down to see me at the picket?  Why aren’t you supporting me?  Not even my doctors are telling me to stop.”

Residents asked if Vancity would help put pressure BC Housing to buy the Sequel 138 condo project (one of Dave’s demands) for 100% social housing.  BC Housing is currently bailing out the Sequel developer with a shocking 1% loan.  Morris did not say yes or no but said Vancity reps would be willing to meet to talk again if we wanted. 

“More talk” is not what’s needed right now.  Dave weighed himself in the lobby of Vancity and as of “Day 28” has lost a total of 21 pounds, 7 pounds more than when he first weighed himself at the Mayor’s office exactly 2 weeks ago today.  Like the beleaguered DTES community, his health is deteriorating but, as he said to the Vancity reps, “I’m strong in mind and in spirit and will continue this struggle.” 

The hunger strike demands are endorsed by every major resident-driven group in the Downtown Eastside, Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Cecilia Point of the Musqueam Nation and the Coalition of Progressive Electors.  The demands are also supported by 1000’s of mostly DTES residents who have signed petitions at the regular picket sites over the last few weeks. 

So far, Police Chief Chu, Councillor Adriane Carr and Former City Councillor Ellen Woodsworth have agreed to meet with Dave.  Dave asked the Mayor to meet with him but so far, this request has been denied. 

History of BC Housing bailout of Sequel 138 condos and more:  http://dtesnotfordevelopers.wordpress.com/

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Wednesday 17 April 2013

DAY 27 ENDS - VPD BACK DOWN!

Legal opinion (below) plus huge turnout of DTES residents at pidgin may have stopped police/city attempt to defend private business interests over social good tonight! No threat letters delivered, no show of arrests for the media and hopefully a bit of spotlight on strike demands. So inspiring to hear Stella's calls in the distance as the Power of Women arrived in force. Running out of time for hunger strike demands....Dave's health declining. Need help deciding next steps, please let us know if you can help. See you tomorrow noon Carnegie then to Vancity at Terminal at 1pm --- later at pidgin 6-7pm. 

Looking for good photos of the whole block of people who turned up if anyone has any.

P I V O T
equality lifts everyone

17 April 2013

VIA-Email
Chief Constable Jim Chu
Vancouver Police Department

Reply to: Douglas King
Direct Line: (604) 255 9700 ext. 112
E-mail: doug@pivotlegal.org

Vancouver, BC

Re: Protests at PIDGIN Restaurant and application of s. 430(1) of the Criminal Code

Dear Chief Chu,

Our office was contacted today to analyze and advise the group of protestors who have been picketing the PIDGIN restaurant on Carrall Street regarding the application of section 430(1) of the Criminal Code, as outlined in the warning letter delivered earlier today which is attached to this document. In examining the case law on this section of the Criminal Code, and the previous decisions of courts across Canada, it concerns me that the department appears to be defining the application of this section too broadly to include legally protected protest.

In the warning letter delivered by the VPD it states the following:

"Obstruction or interference with the use of property includes but is not limited to the following behaviours: shouting, screaming, or swearing at anyone that disrupts public peace or physically blocking any person from freely entering, leaving or staying at any public place."

Our concern is that the above definition is inaccurate, and too broadly defines section 430(1) of the Criminal Code. It is our opinion that the courts have clearly stated that section 430(1) is only intended to cover "physically blocking any person from freely entering, leaving or staying at any public place" and does not cover "shouting, screaming, or swearing at anyone that disrupts the public peace". Disruptions of the public peace during an ongoing protest are matters covered by civil injunction, and by itself should not amount to a breach of s. 430(1) of the Criminal Code.

While the cases regarding this section have typically been applied in a labour dispute setting, where a picket has been set up to protest an employer, in my opinion there is no reason why the legal principles would not apply to the current picket at PIDGIN restaurant. These cases focus on the definition of "enjoyment", and what behaviour would bring rise to a criminal charge under this section.

In the case of R v. Drapeau from the Quebec Court of Appeal, it was determined that the definition of "enjoyment" in s. 430(1) was limited to the legal definition composing the entitlement or exercise of a right, and not "enjoyment" in its most common everyday dictionary sense. The court stated:

"I do not believe that "enjoyment" in sec. 430(1)(d) refers to a purely subjective state, such as the nature or intensity of the pleasure derived from a property by its owner, possessor or occupant. Nor do I believe that a person who diminishes that pleasure, even knowingly, is liable for that reason alone to conviction for criminal mischief.

To conclude otherwise, in my respectful view, is to make of a crime in relation to property an offence against feelings and tastes. With respect for the views expressed by my colleague Chamberland, I would not interpret the law so broadly as to permit that result, and then impose on pOlicemen and prosecutors the thankless task of enforcing it."

Or as the Newfoundland Supreme Court said in more simpler terms in the case of R v. Dooling:

"Where persons peaceably attend at business premises and the only act which is complained of is the communication of information by picketing, without any physical obstruction, interruption or inference, the fact that persons may be persuaded voluntarily not to do business with the struck employer, thereby causing business disruption and thereby incidentally interfering with the employer's enjoyment of his property, does not, in my view, constitute obstruction, interruption or interference for the purpose of s. 430(1)(d). If an employer could charge mischief simply because picketing itself causes business interruption on property owned by an employer, there would be no need for injunctive or other court relief."

If the VPD intends to intervene in this protest and charge under the section in question it is our hope that it will do so on the basis that there is clear evidence that a physical obstruction has occurred which has prevented patrons or the owner from accessing or leaving the property. In our opinion charges under this section related to "disruptions of the public peace" would rightly be challenged, and given the opinions expressed by the courts above it would appear that such a dispute '1lay be better left for the owner to bring through the civil court process.

Yours truly,
PIVOT LEGAL SOCIETY
Douglas King
Barrister Et: Solic,r

Letter from VPD

CRIMINAL CONDUCT WARNING
Attention _________

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is committed to providing an environment that allows for safe and lawful democratic protest; however, the VPD is also committed to ensuring people are not denied the lawful use, or the enjoyment of property. The VPD will take appropriate actions in relation to persons interfering with the lawful use and/or enjoyment of property.

Section 430 of the Criminal Code of Canada states the following: Everyone commits mischief who willfully:
a) Destroys or damages property;
b) Renders property dangerous, useless, inoperative or ineffective;
c) Obstructs, interrupts or interferes with lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property; or
d) Obstructs, interrupts or interferes with any person in the lawful use, enjoyment or
operation of property.

Obstruction or interference with the use of property includes but is not limited to the following behaviours: shouting, screaming, or swearing at anyone that disrupts public peace or physically blocking any person from freely entering, leaving or staying at any public place.

Any future conduct that contravenes this section or any other-of the Criminal Code of Canada may result in criminal charges.

Inspector Cumberworth Officer in Charge, General Investigation Section Vancouver Police Department

Demands to be delivered to Vancity tomorrow, April 18th


Hi Tamara Vrooman, CEO of Vancity,

As you may know, a man named Dave (resident of Downtown Eastside, artist, formerly homeless) is, as of today, on the 27th day of a hunger strike.  One of his/community’s demands relates to a controversial project that Vancity is involved with:  Sequel 138 (138 East Hastings Street).  A delegation from the DTES is coming to your office to deliver a letter of demands to you or your representatives on:

Thursday, April 18th at 1:15pm

We’re hoping that you can come downstairs or send a representative at that time to receive the demands and hear what Dave and others have to say.

Sincerely,
Wendy Pedersen
Independent Organizer/Hunger Strike Representative

DAY 27

UPDATES:
 
Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) Endorses Homeless Dave's Hunger Strike!
http://cope.bc.ca/ 
 ________________________________________

Paint Party for Housing
GEORGIA STRAIGHT ARTICLE

Tuesday 16 April 2013

DAY 26 - Tuesday Apr 16 Actions

 
CALL OUT FOR SUPPORT -- TUESDAY :
Come along with Homeless Dave to Dix's fundraiser in Chinatown tomorrow night. Stop BC Housing subsidy of condos at Sequel 138. 100% social housing! Why is housing for homeless and low-income people not an election issue? We're tagging on to the social housing coalition (see below). DTES residents meet on 2nd floor for dinner 5:30PM.

END THE LIBERAL LEGACY • SOCIAL HOUSING NOW!

So it looks like Tuesday evening will be a busy one for the NDP, and that means opportunities for the Social Housing Coalition to engage NDP members and supporters with our demands for social housing and rent controls. There are two back-to-back events that night:

"RALLY FOR CHANGE KICKOFF"
with Adrian Dix
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
Hotel Vancouver (900 W. Georgia Street)
 
AND

NDP FUNDRAISING DINNER (Homeless Dave going to this event)
Tuesday, April 16th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Floata Restaurant (180 Keefer Street)

This week, the NDP released their 2013 election platform fiscal plan and there is not much room in there for housing. After 12 years of BC Liberal rule, the housing crisis in BC has made Vancouver the most expensive place in North America and one of the most unaffordable places in the world. The only city with a less affordable housing market than Vancouver is Hong Kong, but the difference is that in Hong Kong, about half the housing is social housing for low-income people.

Come to one or both of these events to call on the BC NDP to take action to end the Liberal legacy by launching a serious social housing program and put in rent controls to end the housing crisis in BC.

Organized by:
Social Housing Coalition BC • www.socialhousingbc.com • info@socialhousingbc.com
Stay Connected with Social Housing Coalition BC
fb: facebook.com/socialhousingcoalitionbc
twitter: @stand4housing


Dave and friends went to NDP Adrian Dix’s fundraiser at the Floata restaurant in Chinatown with crowd of www.socialhousingbc.com supporters. The goal was to try to break the silence around socialhousing in upcoming election. Dave and DTES residents want to know why BC Housing is using tax payer’s dollars to bail out a condo developer in the DTES when 1000’s of people are homeless, 5000 working class homes (SRO rooms) in the DTES are being wiped out by gentrification, rent control is desperately needed (especially in the 2nd most expensive city in the world) and 10,000 units of social housing are needed a year across the province for women, for Aboriginal people on and off reserve, for migrants and everyone else who is hurt by systemic poverty.

Councillor Adriane Carr came to the picket, but didn’t endorse demands. She promised to look into their feasibility as a first step. Plus she said she would try to get a motion passed to discuss the demands at City Council.

The Mayor’s office has virtually ignored Dave’s request to meet and we need to do something about this.

Dave’s health getting worse and there is not much time to get the demands met. Still need your help at the pickets! Weekdays noon to 2pm (first hour at sequel, second hour at cop shop) and
Tues to Sat from 6-7pm at Pidgin.

Monday 15 April 2013

DAY 25 - City workers remove Social Housing mural

Well, that didn't take long...

PAINT PARTY FOR HOUSING!

For Immediate Release
April 14, 2013

Downtown Eastsiders paint old police station to claim it for 100% social housing


About 75 Downtown Eastside residents and supporters gathered at the former police station at Main and Cordova today to claim the empty building for social housing and a community space for Aboriginal women and social justice groups. “No corps here. 100% social housing,” said one sign. “People not profit,” said another.

Every resident based group in the Downtown Eastside supports this demand, including the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council, Carnegie Community Centre Association, Downtown Eastside Power of Women Group, Aboriginal Front Door, Gallery Gachet and Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction.

The action was one of a series by Formerly Homeless Dave and his supporters. Dave is on day 24 of a Hunger Strike. His demands include using the city owned former police station for social housing, having the city buy the site at 138 E. Hastings for social housing, and declaring the Downtown Eastside a Social Justice Zone where low income people won’t be pushed out.

Wendy Pedersen, an independent organizer and DTES resident told the group that 5000 SRO residents and over 600 shelter resident in the DTES are in dire need of housing. But instead of using the empty cop shop for what the neighbourhood desperately needs, the city “wants to put in a high tech venture capital hub that will bring more condos, fancy restaurants and displacement.”

Pedersen said we need “drastic action now” because “we’ve been to every city council meeting in the last 10 years and we lose every time.”

Ten year old Agnes, started painting the wall with a three foot high daisy, part of a DTES tradition begun in 1995 when now MLA Jenny Kwan painted a daisy on Woodward’s as part of a fight to get it turned into social housing.

But the 125 units of singles social housing at Woodward came with 536 condos which pushed up land values and prices nearby, and over 400 SROs raised rents, within a block of Woodward’s, beyond what people on welfare and pensions can afford.

“We won’t be tricked again,” said Dave Hamm of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users.

Homeless Dave said that the Hunger Strike is “not fun.” But it’s necessary because the Mayor is planning to give this building to corporations and then subsidize them instead of building social housing in the community.”

“This gentrification and displacement of human lives is not right,” Elaine Durocher, a DTES resident, told the group. “Housing is a right. I was homeless once and I know what it feels like.”

VANDU president Dave Hamm said that VANDU “is in total support of Homeless Dave’s Hunger Strike and housing.”

DJ Joe of the DNC board said she was also in support of the Hunger Strike.

People drew pictures of flowers, houses, and people on the wall of the old police station. Their slogans read: “100% social housing today.” “We are Human!” “Human capital, not venture capital.” “Homes here now.” “Condos create homelessness.”

Formerly Homeless Dave plans to continue the Hunger Strike until action is taken on his demands.

www.dteshungerstrike.blogspot.com

Contact: Tami Starlight 604.790.9943; Wendy Pedersen 604. 839.0379;

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Click here to see more beautiful photos!


Saturday 13 April 2013

TOMORROW: PAINT PARTY FOR HOUSING



Come support Dave, the hunger striker, and the community for this tomorrow!


PAINT PARTY FOR HOUSING  
Sunday, April 14 12 noon  
Old empty Cop Shop 312 Main
Kids Welcome! Food! 
Paint supplied
(organized by DTES residents!)







Watch this for background on the hunger strike: 

Friday 12 April 2013

Day 21 - Daily Diary

Stella August, collecting a record number of signatures on Day 21
Ben spreads the word on Day 21

Day 21:

Mark calendars for noon, Sunday Paint-In at cop shop! WP’s 10 year old daughter and friends offer to paint first daisies, nod to our Woodward's experience as Dave Hamm, President of VANDU said today: "WE'LL NEVER BE TRICKED AGAIN." Lovely woman in Europe Hotel donated her rebel mother’s wheelchair to Dave. Not letting Dave walk anywhere, or too tired to show up to picket the next day. Good thing dear neighbor gave me her car, says WP. Stella and Victoria collect amazing number of petition sheets - have about 40 completed now. Some cash donations coming in, thanks everyone! Some flames from the sparks!

Tonight -- Serious assault/pepper spray on Dave, Fraser, Kim, Joe and others at Pidgin picket. Who did it? Media continually attacking picket and dehumanizing people there – fueling vigilantes, maybe paid by pro-gentrification? Calling on all picketers 7pm Friday night show of peace and strength.

@homelessdave0 tweets:

2/5 IT WAS SAME PERSON WHO VIOLENTLY TORE UP FLYERS AT @Sequel138 PICKET YESTERDAY & KICKED SIGNS AT PIDGIN RECENTLY.. #VANPOLI #DTES

3/5 NO BRANDON GROSSUTTI AROUND-PIDGIN WAITER ADRIAN CAMEOUT 20MIN LATER THREATING PPL "I'LL CRACK THAT THING OVER YOUR HEAD" #DTES

4/5 WE BELIEVE THIS WAS A COORDINATED HIT-ON ALL OCCASIONS HE NEVER SAID ANYTHING- PICKETER WENT TO HOSPITAL-WE STAYED #DTES #VANPOLI

Tomorrow Dave, Tami and Wendy meet with Police Chief Chu to discuss support for demands. @homelessdave0:

1/2 I & MY SPOKEPERSONS WILL BE MEETING WITH POLICE CHIEF JIM CHU TOMORROW FROM 1-130PM IN BLDG BEHIND #DTES 312 MAIN COPSHOP #VANPOLI

1/2 AFTER MEETING WITH POLICE CHIEF CHU--WE WILL BE HAPPY TO TALK TO MEDIA #DTES #VANPOLI #BCPOLI #VANCOUVER #YVR #VPD

WE’RE NOT ABOUT SMASHING WINDOWS. WE’RE ABOUT SMASHING THE OLD BROKEN PARADIGMS & BUILDING NEW PARADIGMS THAT ARE MORE JUST AND EQUAL. #DTES

Blog | http://dteshungerstrike.blogspot.ca/
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/DtesHungerStrike
Twitter | @dteshungrstrike

Wednesday 10 April 2013

DAY 20 - Daily Diary

Day 20: tweets tonight from @homelessdave0

1/2 I'VE BEEN FEELING LIKE MY BODY HAS BEEN TURNED INSIDE OUT THEN OUTSIDE SUNRISE SRO A WOMAN CAME UP TO ME #DTES #VANPOLI #NYC #oo #BERLIN

2/2 TOOK MY HAND & KISSED THE FROG RING I FOUND AT MAIN/HASTINGS DAY BEFORE I STARTED HUNGER STRIKE-I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO MUCH #DTES #VANPOLI

TONNES OF #VPD COPS HARASSING US TONIGHT INCLUDING COPS FILMING @APTNNews & ISSUING JAYWALKING TICKET & DISREPECTFUL TO ME #DTES #VANPOLI
 
Tami and Alice hamming it up at police station picket the other day!
 

Tuesday 9 April 2013

DAY 19 - Daily Diary

Beautiful set of pics from pickets
Dave and Fraser at the Sequel 138 Picket

PLEASE COME TO PICKETS
noon to 2pm weekdays:
Sequel 1st hour
Cop shop 2nd hour

DAY 18 - Daily Diary

Day 18: Alice and Dave get petitions signed for 100% social housing. City's plan for cop shop? A "technology, incubation and acceleration centre" -- DTES as the new Digital district going to council tomorrow. First we heard of this.

City wants HOOTSUITE moving into cop shop? http://www.straight.com/news/369851/sam-reynolds-city-vancouvers-hootsuite-deal-shouldnt-be-kept-secret

Remember slanderous Hootsuite employee comment when they moved out of DTES/ Railtown office?

Said Eve Belanger of Hootsuite: "Last day in #DTES office. I will probably miss midget prostitute the most. Smell ya later DTES, (literally)." https://twitter.com/NellaLou/status/292832810568413184/photo/1

This is the kind of dehumanizing attitude that fuels serial killers. Stop gentrification. Rally there this Sunday, April 14th at noon.



More Day 18 - Dave and Tami went to vigil at Art Gallery tonight. Dave writes: "Wendy-it was beautiful--Cecelia Point and her sister Mary came--they sang songs and prayers for Grand Elder Robinson and myself--Cecelia honoured me with a beautiful blanket (about 25 people there) really tired now take care sleep tight D"

Sunday 7 April 2013

DAY 17 - Daily Diary


Dave tweets: Statement from Grand Elder Raymond Robinson April 7, 2013 - #DTES #VANPOLI #BCPOLI #CDNPOLI #USPOLI #NYC #oo #p2 #INM http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/krystalline-kraus/2013/04/activist-communique-statement-grand-elder-raymond-robinson-#.UWIxccPcA40.twitter

Saturday 6 April 2013

DAY 16 - Daily Diary


Homeless Dave tweets: GREAT PICKET TONIGHT AT PIDGIN 25-30 PEOPLE-THANK YOU Rising TIDE FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT-END DAY 16 #DTES #VANPOLI #BCPOLI #CDNPOLI #NYC #oo; and,

DAY 16 #DTES HUNGER STRIKE: EAGLE JUST FLEW BY LEVEL BY MY WINDOW #JUSTICE DIGNITY #RESPECT EQUALITY #VANPOLI #BCPOLI #CDNPOLI #NYC #oo #p2

Wheel came off wheelchair just after Dave got in the car today. Anyone have another one we can borrow until we can get this one fixed?!?

Petitions were filled and Homeless Dave gets unanimous support at 100 person DTES Neighbourhood Council General Meeting today for hunger strike demands. Carnegie Community Centre Association comes on board today as endorsers as well. Call into Chief Chu, Dave wants to meet with him and get him to personally lobby for social hsg at police centre because of violence unleashed on DTES residents under their watch and often by their hands. New tent for picket site for next 2 weeks of rain. Planning meeting tomorrow for peeps who want to organize for Dave in the coming weeks, need more endorsements and to plan next action! No homes, no peace!

Thursday 4 April 2013

DAY 14 - Daily Diary



FLUX PHOTO
Hunger striker Homeless Dave has lost a pound a day over the past two weeks. At a "weigh in" at Vancouver City Hall today, Dave tipped the scales 14lbs lighter than when he launched his open-ended hunger strike against gentrification in the Downtown Eastside.

A thinner but still upbeat Dave slipped a letter with his demands through Gregor Robertson's door, the mayor being 'out' when Dave and about 50 supporters dropped 'in.'

Dave's three main demands are social housing on the Sequel 138 condo site, housing and a wellness centre at the old cop shop at 312 Main and an end to gentrification in the Downtown Eastside and City instituted policies to make it happen.
Up the hill to City Hall with Shurli, Alice, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip and Dave.


Photos:  http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/photo/hunger-strike-weighs-city-hall/16997






 


Link to letter delivered to mayor: http://dteshungerstrike.blogspot.ca/2013/04/letter-to-mayor.html

Back in the DTES:

Dave writes:  “i think it went better than great--i think we did a little of both, giving ballem a hard time – we were mostly nice now--so now it really begins...so tired--still deciding if i'm going to picket tonight--it's up in the air right now--but see you all at tomorrow at sequel and cop shop pickets -- hope i did ok today--everyone else did amazing.  ps i think this quote is like our community:  “Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.” Oscar Wilde

DTES resident of Latin American decent says:  “I really liked what we did today.  Usually I feel naked.  Exposed, when I try to fight something.  It’s different when there are lots of us together. I’m in this. See you at picket tomorrow.”

Dave tweets:
homeless dave: ‏@homelessdave0 DAY 14 #DTES HUNGER STRIKE: THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED PUSH ME IN WHEELCHAIR TO @MayorGregor OFFICE ESPECIALLY UPHILL #VANPOLI #BCPOLI

Don of Union of BC Indian Chiefs tweets: 
UBCIC: ‏@UBCIC As City Manager walked away, "NO HOMES! NO PEACE" filled the halls. @homelessdave0 continues his hunger strike. #yvr @MayorGregor

Georgia Straight article:
http://www.straight.com/news/369251/hunger-striker-homeless-dave-brings-downtown-eastside-demands-vancouver-city-hall

Letter to Mayor

DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE  HUNGER STRIKE: Day 14


“Gentrification is intensifying; the housing crisis is deepening, and the health of the people and community are under serious threat.  Desperate times call for desperate measures.”      
 - Homeless Dave



April 4, 2013

Dear Mayor Gregor Robinson and City Councillors:

Re:  Request for a meeting and response to hunger strike demands

(Formerly) “Homeless Dave” is now in his third week of a hunger strike for housing and to protest gentrification.  He has only ingested sage tea and 325ml/day of Happy Planet juice since March 22, 2013.  He has lost (14 pounds).  Dave and his spokespeople, request an urgent meeting with you to discuss these 3 “do-able” demands: 


  1. 100% community-directed social housing at the Sequel 138 condo site with a healing and wellness centre;
  2.  100% social housing at the former cop shop at 312 Main with a community-directed space      focused on women and Aboriginal people in recognition of the horrific damage done over the years by the Vancouver Police at that site; and,
  3. That the City of Vancouver declare the Downtown Eastside a "Social Justice Zone" along with the policies to make it happen.  

Dave’s demands are supported by Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and Cecilia Point of the Musqueam Nation.  Several Downtown Eastside groups have also endorsed his demands including:  Aboriginal Front Door, Butterflies in Spirit, Carnegie Community Action Project, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council, Downtown Eastside Power of Women Group, Gallery Gachet, Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users and Western Aboriginal Harm Reduction Society.  A wider call-out for endorsements has just been issued.  A petition for the demands is also being circulated.  More actions are being planned in the community.

The City is sending dangerous signals to the public that DTES rate of change, housing and homelessness is under control.  This is disrespectful to DTES residents who are in “housing crisis” and whose assets are under threat.  There are 850 “displaced” homeless people in the DTES and 5,000 SRO (single-room occupancy) rooms that need to be replaced with affordable apartments.  As we lose low-income housing it is not being replaced.  About 2000 SRO rooms have been lost to rent increases beyond what residents on welfare and old age pension can afford.  Last year alone, 170 condo units were built, only 24 new social housing units opened, and 425 more low-income units were lost to rent increases.  In Chinatown, 571 condos were approved in the last year and only 11 social housing units.  The City is encouraging high-end restaurants and condos which push up land values and raise rents so that low-income people can no longer afford to live and shop in their own neighbourhood.   If the City does not reverse this course, more DTES residents will be displaced and community assets that provide so much essential support to remaining low-income residents will be destroyed.

To set up a meeting with Dave and his representatives, please contact Wendy Pedersen at 604-839-0379 (please note that Wendy has not worked for CCAP since August 2012).  

         Email:  dteshungerstrike@gmail.com     Web:  www.dteshungerstrike.blogspot.ca

“We’re not about smashing windows.  We’re about smashing the old broken paradigms and building new paradigms that are more just and equal.”     – Homeless Dave

DAY 13 - Daily Diary

Many getting ready for the march to city hall tomorrow, shopping, writing, tweeting, phoning.

Women came in force today for pickets, see Dave’s tweets:
  
@homelessdave0  #DTES HUNGER STRIKE: 4 EAGLES 2 CAME RIGHT ABOVE OUR HEADS #VPD PICKET & A COOPER'S HAWK OCM THANKS AFD (Aboriginal Front Door/Butterflies in Spirit) WOMEN FOR SUPPORT 





@homelessdave0 GREAT PICKETS TODAY THANKS @ellenwoodsworth (and other COPE women) FOR COMING OUT & SUPPORT #DTES HUNGER STRIKE& DEMANDS DAY 13

Wednesday 3 April 2013

Media Advisory

Media Advisory - Thursday, April 4, 2013
For Immediate Release

Day 14: Downtown Eastside Hunger Striker to “weigh-in” and deliver demands to City Hall

On Thursday, April 4th, Homeless Dave will be pushed in his wheelchair in a procession from Main and Hastings to City Hall. This will be Day 14 of Dave’s hunger strike for social housing and to stop gentrification in the Downtown Eastside.

At City Hall, Dave’s supporters, including Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, will deliver a letter to the Mayor’s office that requests a meeting and a response to hunger strike demands. At this time, Dave will make a presentation and be available for questions. Also, learn about Dave’s weight and health as he enters his third week without food.

Date: Thursday, April 14, 2013
Time: Leaving Hastings & Main at approximately 10:00a.m.
Arrival at City Hall: approximately 11:00a.m.
3rd Floor Mayor’s office for speeches and questions: approximately 11:15a.m.

Contacts:
Wendy Pedersen 604-839-0379
Lorelei Williams 778-709-6498
Tami Starlight 604-790-9943

Twitter | @dteshungrstrike

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