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.

Committee to End Homelessness Applauds Decision in Latest Anti-Camping Case

Group plans creation of user-run encampments of temporary emergency abodes

The Committee to End Homelessness, a grassroots advocacy group in Victoria, BC, applauds yesterday’s court ruling in the City of Victoria’s case against homeless campers.

The Committee to End Homelessness believes that the only viable solution to homelessness is housing (and associated supports), but recognizes that it will take several years to provide real housing for most people on the street. Meanwhile, there remains a significant number of people who are vulnerable to the increased health and safety risks associated with living outside.

“Homeless people have – for now – the right to erect temporary shelter on city-owned land,” says Chris Johnson, a member of the Committee to End Homelessness. “If they choose to assert this right, we want them to know that a large group of people are ready and willing to support them in a variety of ways.”