Nov 30
There will be another #OccupyCondos demonstration tomorrow at 2pm- this time, in front of the Pantages theatre (or not, could be another decoy!).
This time the group will be joined by Naomi Klein- international bestselling author of No Logo, and Shock Doctrine. Naomi is well-known for her participation in Occupy Wall Street, and has become as iconic of a writer to the movement as Chris Hedges.
It should be an interesting day, not to be missed…
Nov 30
Lawyers who provide duty counsel services for those who can’t afford a lawyer will be holding on of their first demonstrations today at the law courts in Vancouver today at 1pm.
They are planning to stop serving all those who cannot obtain their own counsel at the beginning of next year- demanding that legal aid funding is increased back to levels they were in the 1990’s…
The Public Commission on Legal Aid recently wrote a report on this matter. Have a read- if you agree, come join us there today! Personally, I expect this to be one of the most important demonstrations I will attend all year…
Nov 29
So, I dove into the deep-end and went to the #OccupyCondo event against the Pantages theatre. Shortly after I arrived I noticed we were marching the wrong way down the road! It turns out the story on the Pantages was a decoy- the real target was Sequel 138– a new development labeled “A Downtown Artist and Housing Project”.
A row of blocked buses and cars turning around on Hastings street.
Nov 28
MCS Altona Anchored off the coast of North Vancouver
One of the more interesting under-reported stories that happened in Vancouver this year was the story of the MCP Altona. The ship left Vancouver on December 23, 2010 carrying a shipment of 350 tonnes of Uranium Concentrate- more commonly known as ‘yellowcake’. I was shocked when I heard this- thought Vancouver was a nuclear free zone? I’ve been following this story since March- it appears it was only finally resolved last week.
On January 3rd, 2011 the ship was half-way between Hawaii and the Midway Islands when the crew noticed that containers (loaded with yellowcake) had shifted in rough seas, the doors had opened, and two drums spilled out an opened in the ship’s hold. The ship had initially planned to return to Hawaii, but the US authorities refused. So, the ship turned-around and came back to Vancouver for clean-up.
The ship arrived back at the Port of Vancouver for cleanup on January 20th. I then took until March 22nd to complete the clean-up, and the containers were then shipped back to Saskatchewan to the company that owned them- Cameco. The ship was then anchored near Dollarton (North Vancouver) and sat there until last week when it was sold last week to an Indonesian company- it has been renamed “Meratus Palembang”, and has been docked a few meters from Harborview park in North Vancouver.
There wasn’t much coverage of this story in the mainstream media- but I did see a story on Global last week. That said, they missed-out on the renaming of the ship- tricky…
But, not a single story in the media questioned why a ship with 100’s of tonnes of Uranium was in the “Nuclear Free Zone” of Vancouver! Disappointing really- because, had they covered the story properly, it would have been a sensation. Wait, why wouldn’t they want a sensation? Is there something more to the story?
I’ll continue to research, and will keep you updated when I find more information. Until then, if you have any info to share, please let me know!
Nov 27
I’ve been hesitating to endorse this action- the person who setup the Facebook ‘event’ publicly made fun of me for the fact my last relationship weathered poorly through my involvement in the Occupy movement. That said, I can’t let Harsha Walia’s personal attacks effect my feeling’s on Vancouver’s gentrification issues. And, besides, Lauren Gill is one of this demonstration’s organizers- and she’s 100% pure awesome! (1 year later: No, she’s not awesome…)
So, I’m going to take a chance and dive into the deep-end. On Tuesday between 4pm & 6pm, I will attend “Occupy Condos: Take the Pantages!” at 152 East Hastings.
Here’s an outline from the blog entry:
“Condo Developer Marc Williams wants to build expensive market housing at the old Pantages Site in the Downtown Eastside. Condos in the heart of the neighbourhood will cause higher property values, higher rents in single-room occupancies, displacement of current residents, increased policing, and low-income residents feeling unwelcome in their own neighbourhood.
We are tired and angry that the City and real estate developers are being complicit in escalating rents and gentrification instead of building and protecting safe and affordable low-incoming housing. The corporate developers that bankroll City Council are the 1% in our city that hold disproportionate political and economic power and want to make millions of dollars in profit. Meanwhile more people are displaced from low-income housing in the Downtown Eastside and Vancouver’s has become one of the most unaffordable cities for poor, low-income, racialized, seniors, youth, single mothers, and working people in the world.”
There is no mention by the organizers if this is a “Family Friendly” event. Can anyone confirm if it is or isn’t?
Nov 27
Go 99%
Occupy Vancouver continues to live- despite Mayor Plasticman’s efforts to quell our speech! Today we held the Grey Cup game of the 99% vs the 1%! Mathew was the referee and he did his job well- but, unfortunately, most of the 99% were lost thinking of the glory of the leaky-roofed Colosseum and they missed their own game!
We love you corporate mascot!
A corporate mascot showed-up to cheer us on- the 99% team couldn’t resist the opportunity to use his presence to promote the upcoming march for “Social Housing Not Condos”. The back of his head turned-out to be the perfect place to post a flyer!
And, our favorite reporter from the CBC, Lisa Johnson showed up to film the action! But, 10-1 they won’t air the footage- discussing politics and social inequality has always been discouraged at the Colosseum!
But, OV don’t need no stinkin’ MSM! We brought our own Livestream with us for a global broadcast of the game. And, the results! Well, the 1% won, silly! They always do, the game is stacked-up against the 99%…
Nov 26
Meet at the Art Gallery on Sunday at 2:30 pm to head on down for some sporting, awareness raising fun! We will march, sing, cheer lead and drum our way to BC Place. Referee (and tireless Occupy Medic) Mathew will outline the (obviously fair and balanced, just like Fox news!) rules for 1% vs 99% football – while keeping us all healthy and safe, of course! Good times to be had by all, and for way less than the cost of a seat under that half-billion dollar leaky pineapple roof (free, even). A family-friendly event; costumes, music, and merriment encouraged! Kickoff to coincide with the game inside @ 2:30 pm.
Mathew Kagis: A medic of unshakeable integrity (who can be bribed with Bourbon) shall set fair rules for the game. The playing field will be leveled and the opportunity to win will trickle down to the 99%, just like Milton Friedman intended.
Bring: Drums, costumes, noise makers… We could really use some cheerleaders (especially for the downtrodden 99%).
See you there!!!!!!!
Nov 26
Last night a friend invited me out to a unique experience- one that will be forever part of my life now. We went to Just Dance! Here’s an outline if what its all about from their website:
“Just Dance is a positive party community event. It offers a unique opportunity to dance to an eclectic selection of music from around the world. Held twice a month (three times if you include Just Dance Journeys), Just Dance can be described as a refreshing alternative to the bar and club scene. It is a place where you are free to be yourself, connect with a vibrant community and dance the way you want!
Just Dance is also a non-profit organization and has donated thousands of dollars to local charities over the last 19 years.”
I cannot recommend this event more highly- it was a beautiful experience. And, as someone who is not the most confident dancing at clubs- I felt 110% comfortable being myself last night! Hope to see you there next weekend!
Nov 25
One of the low-points of my elementary school days was the moment some bully decided to kick the rims of my BMX bike. I was a geeky kid- kind of like our Prime Minister is today…
It may have been different if I was protected by a gang of men in well-pressed suits- that said, if it were Harper’s security detail, I’d probably be in the same situation. Despite the fact that I advertised Occupy Harper & Christie’s Photo nearly 24 hours in-advance on Facebook, they were completely unprepared for today’s events.
Three of Harper’s Stooges
It was a beautiful Vancouver winter’s day. The sun was shinning and the mountains were no longer hiding behind the clouds. Our Prime Minister was hiding though- he sneaked in through the back door, and threw us a snarky wave when it was too late for the demonstrators to block him. We were okay with that, it is what we expected.
Beautiful day for a protest Officer!
We found out that he drove over the bricks of the seawall to get in. So, the crowd marched over to the other side of ScienceWorld in search for some rabble to rouse. It was then that we realized we may be able to block Harper’s exit!
We don’t need no stinkin’ badges- we’re occupiers!
As time passed, the lack of police presence was resolved by a gang of six motorcycle cops. Then, some of the bigger VPD’s showed-up in their starched white shirts. Harper’s security people were pacing back & forth between the police and their handlers behind the gates. The more nervous they looked, the more we felt we were onto something!
Houston, we have a problem!
At one point, I go to the VPD and tried to test the temperature stating: “I don’t believe we are on a public highway. But, if you can show me any laws you quote we are breaking, I’ll do my best to get the crowds to move. But, I will research these laws and we will come back to you if this was not right!” The look of anger on the starched-white shirt VPD was priceless. Stalemate! We were winning!
Is that a legal structure? ROTFL
After a while (and I believe after we had started effecting Harper’s schedule) the motorcycle cops started their engines and moved into a formation. They then say there idling and the crowd began to remind them of Vancouver’s anti-idling laws. A good time was had by all!
Fifteen minutes later I get a call from a fellow demonstrator who was on the other side of the building. He told me that Harper was making a mad dash trying to get away. Coward!
A group of us ran over to catch the people on the other side. I saw the PM’s car speed by just as I got there- with the sound of a large “CRUNCH” behind him. I walked to the parking lot, started taking pictures as I was walking. Then, suddenly, some bully cop lightly shoved me out of the way. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe it was legal for him to do that! Police violence! lol
I’m too afraid to speak to occupiers!
I noticed, after Prime Coward Harper had sped away he had crushed some girl’s bicycle! And, apparently, he almost ran-over one of Vancouver’s finest. Pitiful.
Harper’s new bicycle policy- “Crush them!”
So, #OccupyHarper proved to the world that #OccupyVancouver is still here, and that we are powerful enough to shake up Mr. Harper!
And, to quote this camerman- Occupy Vancouver is “Better than a food fair!” But, then again, you all ready knew that didn’t you?
One other cameraman who agreed- Better than a food fair!
Nov 24
We found out this morning that the Prime Borgmeister Harper is coming to Vancouver tomorrow for a photo op at Science World! And, apparently, Christy Clark will be there too!
http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=4&pageId=47&id=4490
So, of course, we at Occupy Vancouver have been busy gathering people together for an event! Come tomorrow, starting at noon! Bring something to make lots of noise with- pots, pans, megaphones, children!
Make big, provocative, signs- something for the press to take pictures of- this will be our photo op too!
This will be a non-violent event- and there will, undoubtedly, be a lot of press! (Photo ops work that way, lol) Here’s a link to the Facebook invitation:
https://www.facebook.com/events/164082993691034/
And, a link to a map for those who have never seen the big silver dome near Vancity HQ! View Map