Commercial Drive street fest will defy Vancouver police threat to impose fees for unlawful events

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      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."

      The DIY Commercial Drive Street Festival will begin at Grandview Park at 7 p.m. on August 21 and include a free barbecue, an open microphone, and a "Fuck the Permits Street Party & March" at 7:30.
       
      "The VPD recently issued a statement warning that they will go after the organizers of 'unlawful' events to cover policing costs," the organizers state. "Thousands of dollars are required to secure a permit for any public event in this city, and applicants are routinely waitlisted for years on end—if not downright denied."
       
      On July 1, Vancouver police pepper-sprayed people and made arrests at Cannabis Day event in downtown Vancouver.

      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!