When the 1997 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leader's Summit comes to Vancouver this November, it brings business leaders, heads of state and dictators from 18 countries and territories; international media coverage; and the militarization of downtown Vancouver, particularly the low-income Downtown Eastside.
APEC Summit 1995: OSAKA, JAPAN Homeless forcibly relocated.
APEC Summit 1996, MANILA, PHILIPPINES 4000 families evicted and their homes destroyed. A crackdown on protesters and activists. A ban on the visit of human rights activists like Jose Ramos-Horta and Bishop Desmond Tutu. A state of de facto martial law in Luzon province.
APEC Summit 1997: VANCOUVER, "CANADA" The largest security operation in Canadian history, with at least $20 million dollars being spent. Snipers and riot police at a public university. "Red zones" preventing peaceful protest. Lack of timely and honest information from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Intimidation of local activists. "Clean-ups" and "sweeps" of the Downtown Eastside. The tripling of Vancouver police harassing Eastside residents. A state of Canadian-style siege ...
While the APEC leaders and their hangers-on are smiling for the cameras, you can bet that they don't want protesters and the poor in the picture.
COPWATCH is a community-based volunteer organization which monitors police activity in an effort to defend the rights of all people to fair treatment under the law. The RCMP and VPD might be watching us, but we'll be watching them too!
COPWATCH Planning Meeting Wednesday, October 22nd 5:30pm Carnegie Center, Main and Hastings 3rd Floor Classroom Vancouver, Salish Territory
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