A Tent City at 58 West Hastings Street has recently formed in response to inadequate, unavailable, and unaffordable housing. Due to the current housing crisis, our neighbours in the Downtown Eastside are occupying this space to protest a lack of government support. The Tent City declares solidarity with Indigenous communities and the unceded territories. Likewise, Powell Street Festival Society and the Advocacy and Outreach Committee stands in solidarity with their actions.
We are asking our festival attendees to make donations to the Tent City on their way to the festival this weekend. In order to the maintain the safety of this occupation, the group requires donations of tents, sleeping bags, blankets, food (non-perishable like peanut butter, snacks, and jam are preferred but perishable like fresh fruits are also great), coffee, towels, socks, flashlights, batteries, bottled water, sunscreen, deodorant, soap, razors, paper plates, cups, and rolling papers. For more information, to sign their petition, or to see updates check out these links:
https://www.change.org/p/city-of-vancouver-housing-justice-in-vancouver-and-canada
https://tentcityvancouver.wordpress.com/support-us/
https://tentcityvancouver.com
If you are unable to stop at the Tent City, you might consider making a donation online: https://www.gofundme.com/2dg39pg
Cash donation are not allowed at the site.
Thank you!
From the Advocacy and Outreach Committee.