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Will you Stand with us ?
The B.C.-wide Stands on May 3rd and June 7th, at 115 intersections throughout the province, sent a powerful statement to our politicians, the news media and our
fellow citizens: Concern about affordable housing and homelessness is strong
and widespread. Many people participated for the first time, tripling the
numbers in many locations. Victoria had 5 Stands including one with 75 people…in
the rain. From Burns Lake to Revelstoke to Princeton to Vancouver, we were a
broad spectrum of religious groups, neighbours, teachers and other labour unions
and advocacy groups, from the youth of Homelessnation to the Raging Grannies.
At Main & 33rd in Vancouver, we stand from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Saturdays. LET’S send a message to all levels of government: “We aren’t going away. We will stand until there is a comprehensive affordable housing program. We will be a force in the upcoming municipal, B.C. and federal elections.” The media coverage was good in some locations, excellent in others. Like the
public, reporters need to be educated. At many intersections there was a
noticeable shift in the responses of passers-by—far more people stopping to talk
and ask for leaflets rather than hurrying past. This is going to be a long campaign but we are up to it! Governments will
respond when enough people force them to discover that the sale of public land
and an uncontrolled housing market are not acceptable. Let’s continue to speak
for:
Email Calm housing at calmhousing@hotmail.com with your location and
sponsoring group. To order Stand kits, use the same e-mail address. Kits are $40 by mail, $25 if picked up in the Main and 33rd area of Vancouver. They include a turquoise ‘Homes for All’ banner, 8 turquoise scarves and reprintable
leaflets. Be sure to check www.my-calm.info/ for
leaflets, housing studies, testimonials, the latest news and more. |