Nothing About Us Without Us Protest Begins

A peaceful protest and demonstration at Jubilee Park in Abbotsford began at noon on Sunday, Oct 20 organizaers say they intend to stay until noon of Wednesday, Oct 23.

Photo by Win Wachsmann.

The head of Abbotsford chapter of the BC/Yukon Drug War Survivors (BCYDWS) Barry Shantz said this week, ““The demonstration is targeted at educating the public on the issues facing low-income and homeless people in Abbotsford and calling on the City of Abbotsford to undertake meaningful discussions with the people most affected by these decisions, including low-income and homeless people who use drugs.”

Shantz has been reaching out to politicians, business leaders and community leaders in an attempt to find safety and dignity for his members.

“With winter approaching, advocates for homeless people in Abbotsford are concerned about policies of shelters that exclude people who appear to be drug or alcohol users, leaving them to fend for themselves outside in freezing weather, and putting their health and safety at risk,” he said.

“This is really an unacceptable situation that must be changed,” said Shantz. “People who use drugs have human rights, and the right to be a part of the decision-making process. We’re hoping to educate the public and our city officials about why our voices matter and nothing should be decided about us without us.”

The demonstration is designed to encourage members of the community to meet members of the Drug War Survivors (DWS), the homeless and their advocates. The DWS and the Pivot Legal Society are suing the City of Abbotsford over its controversial Anti-Harm Reduction bylaw and the Abbotsford Chicken Manure Homeless Incident.

A Summary Of Some OfAbbotsford’s Legal Troubles:

Representatives from the Drug War Survivors will be on hand until Wednesday at noon.