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NEWS RELEASE about Direct Action posted on June 22, 2011 by

Victoria based direct actions group takes a stand against criminalization of poverty

Two hundred "Private Property: No Camping, No Loitering, No Soliciting, No Trespassing" signs removed or transformed overnight

by Operation Public Space


Press Release
For Immediate Release

Victoria, Lekwungen, WSANEC and Esquimalt Territories, June 22, 2011 - A direct action group called "Operation Public Space" removed or transformed approximately two hundred signs overnight in Victoria.

The group altered signs on posts and in windows declaring  "Private Property: No Camping, No Loitering, No Soliciting, No Trespassing". New signs reading "Public Space: Respect, Justice, Compassion and Community - Stop the Criminalization of Poverty" were kindly pasted overtop the old signs.

"These 'private property' signs specifically target people who are living in poverty and trying to survive on the streets", said an unnamed group member.

In a statement, "Operation Public Space" said: "Only people without roofs over their heads camp on city streets. Only people without money to shop are considered 'loiterers'. Only people who are labeled 'unwanted' are 'trespassers'. Businesses are allowed to ask for money all they want, but when a marginalized person asks for a few coins, they're considered illegal 'solicitors'."

The new signs were designed as a reminder that respect, justice, compassion and community are needed to work towards real solutions to poverty and homelessness.

"If Victoria residents don't want to see poor and homeless people, they should be actively working to fight homelessness and poverty", stated an "Operation Public Space" member. "Criminalizing poor and homeless people is not an answer to our community's problems. Instead, it makes the most marginalized people in our city even more vulnerable, and deepens the crisis."

"Operation Public Space" said that it hopes the businesses and government offices that were gifted new signs will consider leaving them in their windows to express their support for a community free of poverty. The "operation" is one of thousands of similar creative actions that stimulate debate and action on community issues. No plants, animals or people were harmed in the direct action.

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Comments

Fri, 06/24/2011 - 16:11 — Sid Ishon

Brilliant little action

This is the kind of action folks should be doing every few weekends, all year long.

Mostly harmless, habit forming, coming from the right place, I love it.

Sat, 07/09/2011 - 18:06 — Denise (not verified)

So agree, when are we doing

So agree, when are we doing this in Metro Vancouver?

 

Fri, 07/15/2011 - 16:32 — Sid Ishon

Suggestion for the purple thistle folks?

Plant seeds in the right place and see what happens.

Sat, 08/06/2011 - 21:40 — Kelly (not verified)

Irony

 

Don't you think it's a bit ironic how your group posted hundreds of stickers over signs that asked the public to respect their private business property by not littering all across the city of Victoria demanding that spaces should be respected and open to all? Surely you must see the irony in that.
 
If you cannot get your point across without vandalizing or destroying property (yes, that includes signs), then your point isn't very strong and it makes you and your cause look like douchebags.
 
Well done. You are an embarrassment to the city.
Sat, 08/06/2011 - 21:41 — Kelly (not verified)

Irony

 

Don't you think it's a bit ironic how your group posted hundreds of stickers over signs that asked the public to respect their private business property by not littering all across the city of Victoria demanding that spaces should be respected and open to all? Surely you must see the irony in that.
 
If you cannot get your point across without vandalizing or destroying property (yes, that includes signs), then your point isn't very strong and it makes you and your cause look like douchebags.
 
Well done. You are an embarrassment to the city.

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