Finally!!
One has to wonder what kind of society we live in when, not only are people left homeless, we don't even want a homeless person covering their head while they sleep in a PUBLICLY OWNED space. That's how it has been in Victoria, City of Gardens, until yesterday.
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has struck down the City of Victoria's bylaws that prevent homeless people from sleeping in city parks.
In a judgment released today, Justice Carol Ross found it is unconstitutional to prevent homeless people from sleeping on public property or erecting shelter to protect themselves when there are not enough shelter beds available for the number who are homeless.
“We're very, very pleased,” said Catherine Boies Parker, one of the lawyers representing the people challenging the bylaws. “It's a huge step towards recognizing the importance of the safety and the dignity of homeless people.”
Victoria mayor Alan Lowe the local Times colonist reports, will release a statement later in the day.
“I'm sleeping in a tent-city tonight,” wrote David Arthur Johnston, one of the defendants challenging the bylaws, in an e-mail. Supporters were to meet at the Victoria court house at noon.
So now we wait and see. Will this scenario run like that of the courts ruling on Insite where the Conservative government is appealing the ruling that it is unconstitutional to not provide safe consuption space? Will the city decide they just don't want to support struggling people in the most simplest of ways?
On my blog, I can say what I want. Why, why does the ruling class hate helping those that struggle in our society?
