P.O.W.E.R. DISPATCH #4
Bimonthly update on community-based reporting at P.O.W.E.R.
Click here for previous P.O.W.E.R. bimonthly dispatches
Dispatch #4 Themes
No respite from gendered violence
Reports on the frequency of gendered violence remain prominent issues in the community. P.O.W.E.R. members are concerned about the shifting language in how women are discussed in day-to-day interactions, including within community sites.
A more comprehensive analysis and some actionables, “Nowhere to seek safety as gender-based violence worsens under drug supply & displacement crises,” was released by a number of groups including P.O.W.E.R. last week.
Task force barrage continues terrorizing people outside
The highly visible, negative impacts – including deterrence of healthcare services and pushing people into isolation – of the Vancouver Police Department’s Task Force Barrage are impossible to miss. Task Force Barrage is being deployed in addition to daily, roving street sweeps, which the City of Vancouver has previously apologized for due to the violent impacts.
P.O.W.E.R. members have continuously noted the ever increasing ratio of police officers targeting, harassing and/or interacting with one or two people.
In April, VPD deputy chief Howard Chow posted proudly and suggested that Task Force Barrage was funding a horse patrol of the DTES. Three days later, the VPD released a report showing they are projected to go over their approved budget by millions in this fiscal year. In a video, interim VPD chief Steve Rai describes the “pressure” Task Force Barrage is putting on the DTES. A former Vancouver Police Board member is among those questioning the process in which the VPD received $5 million in municipal funds outside of budget discussions.
Increased overdoses
Over the past two months, there were multiple points where individuals and community groups put out urgent warnings of abrupt changes of effects from the drug supply, following Canada’s adherence to the US request for further border securitization (an example).
Newsletter highlights
P.O.W.E.R. and Stop the Sweeps brought attention to the violent decampment that occurred in Kelowna — residents were stamped with happy faces if they wanted to gain access to the area to retrieve their own belongings.
Alongside other community members, P.O.W.E.R. launched a fundraiser for some of Ashtrey’s surviving family members. It remains open!
Community activity
In March, P.O.W.E.R. supported an event to announce the development of the People’s Tribunal on police killings of Indigenous Peoples.
P.O.W.E.R. joined Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, Surrey Union of Drug Users and Coalition of Peers Dismantling the Drug War to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the toxic drug public health emergency.
Honorary P.O.W.E.R. member Garth Mullins released a new book Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs. You can read an excerpt here.
P.O.W.E.R. in the news
Briarpatch Magazine: Harm reduction to combat racism and imperialism (Support our friends at Briarpatch by ordering a copy or two!)
CityNews Vancouver: International Day Against Police Brutality marked in Vancouver
Redeye Radio: Assessing re-criminalization of drug possession through a public health lens
Sooke News Mirror: People's Tribunal launched to probe police officers involved in police-related deaths
The Mainlander: Hard Truths About Ken Sim’s DTES Plan
New research feat. P.O.W.E.R. members
Canadian Journal of Public Health: Decriminalization undone: Assessing the amendment to British Columbia’s decriminalization of personal drug possession framework