Move Along: Excluding the Poor from Access to Public Space

New public space laws and initiatives are multiplying rapidly in cities large and small. Whether it's regulation of panhandling and busking or prohibitions on sitting on sidewalks and sleeping in parks, there are more and more calls for "zero-tolerance policing" to address so-called "public disorder". The trends and effects of these public space laws and some of the constitutional challenges in the works were the subject of a talk given by BCCLA Policy Director Micheal Vonn at the First Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo this month. 

Information on the Association's position on issues of discrimination against the poor and homeless. 

The B.C. Civil Liberties Association and the Ligue des droits et libertés called on authorities to ensure that demonstrators’ rights would be protected at the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) Summit, where heads of state and business leaders met on August 20-21, 2007 in Montebello, Québec.

When three undercover provincial police officers infiltrated peaceful demonstrators at the summit meeting, the BCCLA forcefully spoke out to denounce their conduct. The police infiltrators were hefty men dressed in black clothing wearing masks covering their faces, and at least one of the officers carried a large rock. Although the Québec police force initially denied that the men were police officers, it later issued a statement reporting that the officers were planted to spot and identify violent protesters.

“The presence of these officers amidst peaceful protesters caused protesters to reasonably fear for their personal safety and disrupted a fundamental democratic process,” says BCCLA Litigation Director Grace Pastine.

“This type of police activity not only causes disorder at the protests itself, it alienates citizens that are interested in peacefully assembling to express their political views by sending the message that these types of demonstrations attract thugs and dangerous elements.”

The BCCLA, in collaboration with the Ligue, is currently gathering witness statements and assembling evidence of other serious transgressions of civil liberties that may have taken place at the Montebello protests, including the unwarranted use of police force, the unjustified use of chemical and mechanical weapons, denial of access to public spaces like parks and sidewalks, and other behaviour on the part of law enforcement that may have restricted demonstrators' ability to express their political views. 

The actions of the police at Montebello raise very serious concerns about the commitment of police and government officials to protect the fundamental rights of citizens to peacefully assembly to express their political views. It is imperative that police respect Canada’s constitutional values and work to protect, not undermine, public freedoms and safety. Police conduct at Montebello demonstrated no such commitment.

The BCCLA is organizing a public forum to focus on the reform of the system for investigating police conduct when a civilian dies while in the custody of police. Linda Bush, mother of Ian Bush, a man who was shot by an RCMP officer in Houston, B.C., is scheduled to speak, as are lawyers who act for the families of others who have died in police custody.

BCCLA Board member Shirley Heafey, who is the past Chair of the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, is also scheduled to speak.

This forum is taking place Monday, September 24, 2007 at UBC’s Robson Square Theatre from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Admission is free.

Click here to find out more about the speakers and the forum agenda.

If your are interested in attending please email the BCCLA at info@bccla.org to book your ticket(s) today as seating is limited.

In a narrow vote last week, Northwest Territories MLAs rejected proposed legislation that would have effectively empowered Territorial bureaucrats to evict residents without notice for engaging in legal, ‘disruptive’ behaviour in their own homes.

In our letter to the MLAs, the BCCLA forcefully argued that the proposed Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act was a serious threat to NWT residents’ privacy, liberty and security of the person.  We also argued that the Territorial government was attempting to usurp federal powers over criminal law.  For the details of our argument, read our letter.

The BCCLA applauds the courage of those MLAs who stood up for their constituents’ rights and the best interests of their communities.  We also note that, in considering this Bill, the MLAs engaged in a genuine process of consultation with constituents, a model governments in the rest of the country would do well to emulate.

Having friends over for dinner or planning to throw a party? Think about including the BCCLA in your plans.  When inviting friends over for dinner ask them to bring a donation to support the BCCLA instead of a traditional host(ess) gift of wine or flowers.  Donations don’t always have to come from you alone.  During the evening incorporate a short speech highlighting the importance of the Association so your friends and family can become informed about the organization.  We are always happy to provide you with the appropriate materials and speaking notes.

Do you hold an annual event such as a golf or darts tournament?  Make the BCCLA your charity of choice.  If you plan on collecting a registration fee, ask that a portion go to support the BCCLA and our important work. 

Even if it’s just having friends over for a cup of coffee, you can make a difference. Simply send a cheque made payable to the B.C. Civil Liberties Association and record any names and addresses of those wishing to be tax receipted.

We would also love to hear your story.  Tell us the creative way you raised donations for the BCCLA so we can tell others. To date we have been fortunate enough to receive donations from a cocktail party and a birthday celebration, to name a few!

For more information on holding a Third Party event to benefit the B.C. Civil Liberties Association please contact Sarah Frew, Director of Development at 604-687-2919 or e-mail.

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