Flashback 2008

Entries on this site are in reverse chronological order, from newer to older. Content is specific to the 2008 Victoria Municipal election, and the co-inciding/colliding Right to Sleep Campaign.

Some highlights:

Mayor Elect Donates Coat to Homeless
Woodruff concedes, throws support to Filipovic
November 3rd Mayoral Forum with Reid and Fortin
Meet your 2008 Candidates for City of Victoria Council
James Bay Peace and Justice Mayoral Forum, November 3, 2008
Democracy is a Well-Informed Public

B the Media

Perhaps you’ve noticed that Electionsvictoria.ca never lived up to it’s potential as a source for local municipal political news. We never really had enough people to cover more that just one issue that was happening OUTSIDE city hall.

Where are we now? Some of us have moved on. Others have become part of a new local media project.

Bchannelnews.tv has set out to provide comprehensive local video news coverage. We’re taking it slow, concentrating on quality over quantity, and what you’ll see is nothing like electionsvictoria.ca, except that it’s locally focused, with emphasis on video coverage.

If you’ve ever wanted to get involved with this kind of project, now is your chance. Read and pass along the following call-out and consider taking part in the future of local media.

Thanks!

More arrests outside City Hall

Two people were arrested this afternoon in Centennial Square for refusal to remove their temporary shelter.
The mainstream media concludes it’s story with a quote from the police denying that David Arthur Johnston and David Shebib were homeless.
“These two individuals, they’re not homeless, they’re protesters and they’re just trying to make a political statement,” said police spokesman Sgt. Grant Hamilton.
In a court appearance less than a month ago, a judge agreed that David Arthur Johnston was homeless, and not only that, the city has no right to determine who is homeless or who ‘should’ be homeless.

David Arthur Johnston Continues Affirmation of Right to Sleep

photo: Pete Rockwell

The mainstream media in this city is running articles these past couple days about the City of Victoria’s new temporary bylaw that bans daytime camping.
Not mentioned is that David Arthur Johnston has constructed a cardboard abode in Centennial Square and has announced that he is ready once again to defend the Right to Sleep as it was granted to homeless people by the Oct. 14 BC Supreme court ruling.
This morning bylaw officers gave David Arthur Johnston and David Shebib warning that they would be returning tomorrow (Saturday) morning to issue infraction tickets.

David Arthur Johnston’s Humble Proposal

photo: Johnathan LeDrew

My proposal to the Corporation of the City of Victoria

-

Good day. I’m happy to write to you. I feel that we share a great
intimacy, having been through so much together. I realize we’ve been,
seemingly, poised against one another for a good long while, so there
is always concern of whether or not something is genuinely humble or
just some subtle way to bite, on both our parts, I presume.

Miracle in Court

by Kristen Woodruff

Good Evening;

Court this morning was a miracle. The room was filled with such a strong spirit of love and truth that I was overcome with tears of joy before even hearing the ruling. And, indeed, the judge ruled that the city is not acting lawfully by enforcing their 7 p.m. to 7 a.m restriction on the construction of temporary shelters. Justice McKenzie politely and in proper legal terms put the City of Victoria in its place. It took great courage and grace to do this. In the courtroom I was not the only one who remarked that McKenzie looked and seemed like an angel.