The Pivot Legal Society and the Abbotsford Chapter of the BC/Yukon Drug War Survivors served papers yesterday on the City of Abbotsford and the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) for two new law suits representing the interests of Abbotsford homeless citizens involved in the Abbotsford Chicken Manure Homeless Incident and the fight against Abbotsford’s Anti-Harm Reduction Bylaw.
City Clerk Bill Flitton accepted the papers on behalf of the City and the APD. Mayor Banman is reported to have refused to speak on the subject saying, “You picked your path,” and then retiring to his office.
In addition, five more Abbotsford citizens were signed up by Pivot Legal Society yesterday and will be suing the City as well Abbotsford Today was told.
The law suits are the latest in a series of law suits and a civil rights complaint against The City of Abbotsford for interfering with the rights of Abbotsford citizens through its Anti-Harm Reduction Bylaw and for the City’s treatment of its homeless citizens with chicken feces last summer.
Barry Shantz, head of the Abbotsford Drug War Survivors (DWS) told Today this morning, “We are trying to develop a working relationship with the City of Abbotsford based on trust and goodwill,” referring to the ongoing peaceful and protest at Jubilee Park which is experiencing slow but steady growth.
Shantz says the DWS wants electricity, for what he refers to as ‘The Village at Jubilee’, so that members of the Village can stay warm during their protest.
“We aren’t going anywhere until we start being treated as human beings and as participants in the decisions being made about us,” says Shantz.
Cover photo: Abbotsford Drug War Survivors head Barry Shantz during the drop off of used needles at the City of Abbotsford Bylaw Department office several years ago.