Update re: post below
Jul 18th, 2008 by nancyzimmerman
My faith is possibly being restored: I went to Oppenheimer Park at 5am this morning and found no less than twenty-one, 21!, of my fellow well-housed neighbours there in the park with me, collectively in solidarity with the homeless. Plenty of press came, but no police this morning as they’d received the press releases too (I wonder if they went to another park?)
And, more amazingly five of my neighbours actually DID sleep outside there last night. I’m blown away, and wish I’d joined them. Another night.
And one last thing for the record. I brought my daschunds and they were totally cool in the park, and in fact there were 4 other dogs there so they all had their own doggy protest.
OH, AND MORE GOOD NEWS: according to this just released by cbc BC had an almost 3 BILLION dollar surplus in 2007. Anyone wanna tell me our housing issues can’t be addressed??
This is my issue with the homeless issue. I believe we have the resources to deal with it and our provincial and federal government choose not to. Why? It seems to me as well pretty pointless to move people at 4:30 am as you pointed out. I know when the boat squatters in False creek were removed it was a long process, a year, and there were warnings and attempts to help the squatters find alternatives.
Thanks for sharing the ‘other’ side of our beautiful city and reporting how taking action really can work …