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City Budget Meeting Shut Down, 3 Arrested

This evening, a powerful march made (up) of Anti-Poverty Committee members and supporters and led by the Elders Council arrived at the Central Library Branch, where the city was attempting to hold a public consultation on proposed budget expenditures. The event had been organized to protest the budget items on the agenda – specifically an additional $20 million of City funds to be put into an Olympic slush fund.

Security and police attempted to keep demonstrators out of the building and there was a brief stand-off that broke as a few protesters managed to get in through another door. At this point, police grabbed APC organizer David Cunningham and attempted to arrest him. David was successfully de-arrested by others and the march continued into the building.

The demonstration went into the library building and down to the basement area where the budget consultation was being held. The space in front of the room was held and after about 10 minutes of chanting, APC members attempted to get into the meeting room. At that point, police violently prevented people from entering the room and pepper-sprayed the group without warning. In the meantime, the group was successful in breaking through the police into the room where the meeting was being held and shut the meeting down, shouting down City Councillor Peter Ladner.

In the scuffle with police, several people had been badly (pepper) sprayed and needed medical attention and ambulances were called. While in the bathroom, trying to get pepper-spray off, APC member Peter Haywood was arrested and taken out. Police assured everyone that paramedics were on their way. In fact, calls to 911 confirmed that paramedics had already arrived and were being stopped from entering the building by the police.

At this point, APC attempted to leave the building peacefully. While the group was leaving the building, the police targeted two members – Katie Dyck and David Cunningham and arrested them. Remaining demonstrators gathered and left as a group to prevent others from being targeted and picked off by police.

At this point, legal counsel are trying to find out what charges are being pressed against the arrestees. We are expecting everyone to be released tomorrow, but it is difficult to say without knowing what charges are being laid or what conditions are being put forward. We will post any updates over e-mail and on our website.

The occupation of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre (DEWC) is on-going, and volunteer support is needed. To get involved in helping women keep the Centre open, or to make donations, please contact Bernie and the women at DEWC at 778-861-4979, 604-681-8480, ext. 222 or by e-mail skundaal@yahoo.ca.