COPS ARREST ANTI-MARCH PROTESTERS

Social Activists Dog Rally Against Drugs

Vancouver police arrested at least 12 people protesting against an
anti-drug march organized by Downtown Eastside residents and merchants
yesterday.

More than 1,500 people showed up in support of the Community Alliance,
which organized the march.

Although billed as peaceful, the march was tense from the beginning as
social activists faced off against up to a dozen private security guards
hired by Chinatown merchants to protect the marchers.

Bryce Rositch, chairman of the alliance, while not personally in favour of
the stern-faced and stocky private army, said it was the only way to ensure
that the merchants took part in the march.

Police spokesman Insp. Dan Dureau said police had no problem with the
leather-gloved security workers, who could be seen frequently pushing
activists and media out of the way.

The Community Alliance was formed recently by residents, merchants and
property owners in the Gastown, Chinatown, Strathcona, and Victory Square
area to protest against government plans to introduce new facilities and
programs for drug users.

This march was organized to deliver a petition with 37,000 signatures to
government representatives at Canada Place.

As marchers set off from Strathcona Park, a small band of activists took up
position in front and began to chant anti-police and pro-drug-program slogans.

They said a delay in the introduction of the programs would lead to more
deaths on the street.

Eight police officers on bicycles kept the two groups separate but tensions
ran so high that within three blocks paddy wagons had to be called in and
the first arrests were made for breach of the peace.

A man dressed as Death was wrestled by officers into the wagon, as were at
least two "picket organizers," thrashing about, their eyes wide with shock
and surprise.

Each arrest was met with loud cheers from the marchers. As the wagon moved
away, the protesters inside could be heard chanting and banging on the doors.

Those arrested were later released without charges.

But it wasn't just the social activists who were ripe for an
altercation. Community Alliance marchers had to be held back from
confronting the activists by their own security guards.

Things were tense all the way to Canada Place, where the petition was
handed over to city, provincial, and federal officials.

"This is a peaceful rally and every part of society should be able to speak
out," said Rositch.

"But there is more to the community than drug dealers and others. We all
have a responsibility to help those in need, but we also have a
responsibility to make sure our communities are safe."

Shelly Fahey of the Anti-Poverty Action Committee said, "We are concerned
that [the Community Alliance] is standing in the way of a lot of social
housing and harm-reduction programs that could save lives.

"They think we need harsher law enforcement, where we think they should be
pressuring the government to be faster on social housing, faster on harm
reduction."