LEGAL GROUP FILES SUIT OVER RAID

The city has stepped up too late, according to the Pivot Legal
Society, which has launched a lawsuit against the city on behalf of
seven Pender Hotel Residents.

The lawsuit was filed in January after residents alleged they were
illegally detained and unfairly treated during a Hazmat search of the
Downtown Eastside building for a drug lab, which turned out not to be there.

Pivot lawyer David Eby said that six months after firefighters kicked
in several doors in the building, the city has failed to repair any
of the damages until recently.

"Women were left for months with no security in the DTES," said Eby,
who is suing the city for $140,000. "They're looking for compensation
for being detained illegally, stress and property damages and being
put at risk."

Although Eby says the city has begun to take action, it should have
never taken half a year.

"The city has a bylaw that allows them to order the landlord to make
repairs or they can go in themselves and do it but they have refused," he said.

A settlement hearing is expected for 2007, unless a settlement is
agreed on before then.