Pubdate: Sun, 01 Oct 2000
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2000 The Province
Contact:  200 Granville Street, Ste. #1, Vancouver, BC V6C 3N3 Canada
Fax: (604) 605-2323
Website: http://www.vancouverprovince.com/
Author: Clare Ogilvie

COPS ARREST ANTI-MARCH PROTESTERS

Social Activists Dog Rally Against Drugs

Vancouver police arrested at least 12 people protesting against an 
anti-drug march organized by Downtown Eastside residents and merchants 
yesterday.

More than 1,500 people showed up in support of the Community Alliance, 
which organized the march.

Although billed as peaceful, the march was tense from the beginning as 
social activists faced off against up to a dozen private security guards 
hired by Chinatown merchants to protect the marchers.

Bryce Rositch, chairman of the alliance, while not personally in favour of 
the stern-faced and stocky private army, said it was the only way to ensure 
that the merchants took part in the march.

Police spokesman Insp. Dan Dureau said police had no problem with the 
leather-gloved security workers, who could be seen frequently pushing 
activists and media out of the way.

The Community Alliance was formed recently by residents, merchants and 
property owners in the Gastown, Chinatown, Strathcona, and Victory Square 
area to protest against government plans to introduce new facilities and 
programs for drug users.

This march was organized to deliver a petition with 37,000 signatures to 
government representatives at Canada Place.

As marchers set off from Strathcona Park, a small band of activists took up 
position in front and began to chant anti-police and pro-drug-program slogans.

They said a delay in the introduction of the programs would lead to more 
deaths on the street.

Eight police officers on bicycles kept the two groups separate but tensions 
ran so high that within three blocks paddy wagons had to be called in and 
the first arrests were made for breach of the peace.

A man dressed as Death was wrestled by officers into the wagon, as were at 
least two "picket organizers," thrashing about, their eyes wide with shock 
and surprise.

Each arrest was met with loud cheers from the marchers. As the wagon moved 
away, the protesters inside could be heard chanting and banging on the doors.

Those arrested were later released without charges.

But it wasn't just the social activists who were ripe for an 
altercation.  Community Alliance marchers had to be held back from 
confronting the activists by their own security guards.

Things were tense all the way to Canada Place, where the petition was 
handed over to city, provincial, and federal officials.

"This is a peaceful rally and every part of society should be able to speak 
out," said Rositch.

"But there is more to the community than drug dealers and others. We all 
have a responsibility to help those in need, but we also have a 
responsibility to make sure our communities are safe."

Shelly Fahey of the Anti-Poverty Action Committee said, "We are concerned 
that [the Community Alliance] is standing in the way of a lot of social 
housing and harm-reduction programs that could save lives.

"They think we need harsher law enforcement, where we think they should be 
pressuring the government to be faster on social housing, faster on harm 
reduction."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager