[published in the April 16, 2004 street roots]

Vancouver, B.C., activists attempt a tent city for homeless

street roots staff report

On April 1, labor and homeless activists and people experiencing homelessness attempted to open a tent city by building nearly 20 temporary plywood structures in Vancouver, B.C. The short-lived tent-city was squatted at a location that has been a campsite for hundreds of homeless people over the years.

Two people were arrested and one may be facing a charge of inciting a riot.

Supporters stayed late into the night and food and shelter was provided for homeless individuals who had planned to inhabit the tent city.

"The tent city may not have been built but we are not defeated," said a members of the tent-city. "By pushing a hard line against tent cities in Vancouver, the Vancouver Police Department has exposed their desire to hide and ignore poverty and homelessness. We will fight back and demand dignity  and housing for homeless people!"

The group is requesting that the City of Vancouver allot a piece of land under its jurisdiction, so that a legal tent city can be erected. The group is  gathering signatures for a petition and lobbying city hall for the tent-city.

In Denver, a group who has proposed a tent city to the city is scheduled to start squatting on public land on April 24.

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