Commercial Drive street fest will defy Vancouver police threat to impose fees for unlawful events
A Facebook page has announced Vancouver's first do-it-yourself street festival in response to recent police crackdowns on unlawful events.
"We do not want to live somewhere where we can’t use public space," the organizers state on Facebook. "We do not need a license to dance, to listen to music, to gather freely. Our hope is that those in attendance will be inspired to organize their own events, and will begin to conceptualize the potential of an act as simple as being in the street."
This came after deputy city manager Sadhu Johnston issued a written warning to organizers that the city had not approved of the east side of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Police also showed up in large numbers to the annual May Day protest on Commercial Drive, which attracted about 5,000 people. Three people were arrested and one person was stabbed but not seriously injured.
Comments
16 Comments
Daryl Gates
Jul 31, 2015 at 8:35am
Oh please let me know how the VPD plans to go after a decentralized group of individuals? Will they use the same tactics as when they investigated the great riot of 2011?
Perhaps this is just Vision continuing their ongoing repression against the denizens of Grandview-Woodland?
Fuel to fire?
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:20am
Not exactly well thought out. Provocation hardly evokes joyful celebration of freedom. Or this is engineered by the police to give themselves an excuse? Seems common sense is rocket science these days imo.
In the hood
Jul 31, 2015 at 10:27am
Stop the drama train and lies.
Permit applications of this sort are NOT "wait listed for years on end" If they at least applied for one the "organizers" would know this.
Like it or not the rest of us in the neighbourhood don't mind some police oversight at these events because some jerks in this city are incapable of respectful behaviour at public events and do need babysitting.
So, grow up, stop telling lies, pouting, and follow the rules for a change.
@In the hood
Jul 31, 2015 at 12:01pm
Yeah, I only feel safe with a standing army around to "police" things.
What a maroon.
Yeah right
Jul 31, 2015 at 12:14pm
Just your usual bunch of police hating no brainers. Professional protesters probably with nothing better to do. I bet they don't hesitate to call the police when the local biker gang cracks on their heads. Losers!!
In the hood
Jul 31, 2015 at 12:51pm
@Standing army
Exaggerate and dramatize much?
Thanks for proving my point while completely missing it at the same time.
Arachides
Jul 31, 2015 at 1:39pm
Wonder if those 200 new Tasers for the VPD will arrive in time.
another protest bbq?
Jul 31, 2015 at 1:57pm
so let me get this straight, its a bbq and festival to protest the requirement of permits?
its sad that people waste so much of their lives being unproductive members of society.
of course police need to be there, because the clowns that show up to these events are usually looking to agitate others and destroy the same public property they claim to cherish.
Xander Davis
Jul 31, 2015 at 4:44pm
Is this another attempt by Chris Bruntlett to get a bicycle rave going?
Pender Guy
Jul 31, 2015 at 9:25pm
Critical Mass will always win as long as people are civil. Need to spread the word!