Wow, our last post was June 23. So much has happened...and yet really it's the same old, same old. Our blog writer says: "I keep meaning to blog, and then I just don't know what to say." Sometimes there aren't really words. We will be resuming posting again soon, with a more detailed update on … Continue reading An update…kinda sorta
Author: Poverty Kills 2020 - COVID edition
Poverty is deadly all the time...but especially now. We are a grassroots network of people in Lkwungen Territory (aka 'victoria, bc') who love the street community and are appalled by the injustice and suffering happening here. People are hugely resilient as always, but it's a lot to be dealing with COVID + closure of survival services + even more unpredictable drug supply than usual (leading to increased overdose / dangerous withdrawal) + decreased income + intensified isolation. Some of us have been part of the street community, our loved ones are in the street community, and/or we have worked with the street community. When the COVID crisis started we came together to figure out what we could do. None of us are getting paid for this work. There are many positive things that can be done and we hope you'll join us!
Jun 25: What looming government decision means for people living outside
On June 25 'victoria' city council will be deciding whether to go back to enforcement of their parks bylaw that, as current written, bans daytime sheltering (forcing people to pack up their tents at 7 AM every day, and not set back up again till 8 PM -- 7 PM in winter). The stress and … Continue reading Jun 25: What looming government decision means for people living outside
Action: Write City Council – keep letting people shelter in parks 24/7
In mid-March when the COVID public health emergency was declared, the city finally stopped enforcing one of the most harmful provisions of its Parks Regulations Bylaw: the ban on daytime sheltering in parks. This was a big relief. People have been able to keep their tents up 24/7 in areas where sheltering is permitted, rest … Continue reading Action: Write City Council – keep letting people shelter in parks 24/7
We are human beings: Open letter from people living outside, to Victoria city council and staff
In every city across ‘canada’ there are people living outside -- sleeping in tents or cars or without any shelter, living in parks, alleyways or sidewalks. Instead of asking people who are living outside what they need and working constructively with them to make things better, many cities have taken a hostile “us and them” … Continue reading We are human beings: Open letter from people living outside, to Victoria city council and staff
City of Victoria: Still a long way to go
Today City of 'victoria' Parks staff did a good thing, confirming bathroom hours are extended so there are more bathrooms open 24/7 and that a portapotty will be put into a park where sheltering is allowed to make it more feasible to actually do that. Kudos to staff to communicating respectfully and responsively with Poverty … Continue reading City of Victoria: Still a long way to go
Colonial garbage threatens MEEGAN (beaconhill park)
Following the City's May 21 confirmation that they will temporarily allow people to shelter 24/7 in some parks if they comply with a long and absurd list of rules, some housed people freaked out about the potential environmental impacts of people sheltering at MEEGAN (beaconhill park). One angry individual set up a Facebook event suggesting … Continue reading Colonial garbage threatens MEEGAN (beaconhill park)
City Council’s fail = More homeless people facing eviction
The day after the province's May 20 eviction deadline for homeless people people still living at Topaz Park / Pandora Avenue, 'victoria' city council passed a weak motion brought by three councillors who have in the past been progressive. Councillor Sharmarke Dubow specifically raised concerns about homeless people's safety and human rights, but the rest … Continue reading City Council’s fail = More homeless people facing eviction
The reality of state brutality
NOTE: This post includes descriptions of state violence experienced by homeless people living at Topaz and Pandora. People asked us to share what happened to them, to break through the deceptive stories about how the province's decision to hastily clear three tent cities is a good news story. While some people obtained temporary shelter in … Continue reading The reality of state brutality
City of Victoria’s Parks Bylaw is Violent and Cruel
On Thursday May 14, City staff posted at MEEGAN (aka ‘beaconhill park’) a document titled “Important Notice COVID-19 Response - Parks”. At the top of the document, the City says: “The Parks Regulations Bylaw governing sheltering in City Parks remains in effect. However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in an effort to allow … Continue reading City of Victoria’s Parks Bylaw is Violent and Cruel
Pivot open letter: harms of camp evictions
We worked with Pivot Legal Society to document service providers' perspectives on the ways the provincial government's enforcement order is harming people living in Pandora & Topaz tent cities. The most important perspectives, the people who should most be listened to and believed, are the people living at Topaz and Pandora. But we hope these … Continue reading Pivot open letter: harms of camp evictions
Poverty Kills 