Friends of the Woodwards Squat

This is a Press Kit compiled by the Friends of Woodwards Squat concerning the 43 days of the Woodwards squat in the fall of 2002. It lists the following documents: Statement for the 'Give It or Guard It' Press Conference (26 October); Summary of Demands (Updated 26 October); Transcript of Statement Presented to City Council (22 October); Preliminary Inventory of Items Destroyed or Stolen by the Vancouver Police Department on 21-22 September (14 October); Contact Information for Groups Involved in the Woodwards Squat (Updated 25 October); Summary of Demands of the Woodwards Social Housing Coalition and Anti-Poverty Committee which are endorsed by Friends of the Woodwards Squat; Letter Intended to Prevent a Third Police Eviction at Woodwards Endorsed by Friends of the Woodwards Squat and Other Groups. These documents outline the demands of the squatters and their supporters (such as reversing cuts to welfare and social housing, creating an anti-vacancy bylaw, redressing police actions against the squatters, addressing aboriginal issues, and so on) that are addressed to all three levels of government.

This is a letter announcing a demonstration of support for the Woodward's squat. It situates the squat in terms of the cancelled social housing project at Woodwards by the BC Liberals and the right to housing. It calls for people to attend the rally and to make donations.

This is a newsletter from the Woodwards Squat. This issue reprints comments made in the House of Commons by Libby Davies (MP - East Vancouver) and Claudette Bradshaw (Minister of Labour) that discuss the homelessness in the Downtown Eastside and asks for a commitment in funds from the minister responsible for homelessness (the Minister of Labour). There is also a letter in response from Aaron Vidaver, Friends of Woodwards Squat, thanking the Minister.

This is a newsletter from the Woodwards Squat. This issue gives the history of the beginning of the Woodwards Squat, providing both background information about the vacant Woodwards building and social housing policy, and connecting these issues and the squat to policies of the BC Liberal, particularly cuts to welfare and housing. It also discusses community actions and organizing prior to the squat and coalitions amongst communities and unions. The demands of the Coalition are reprinted (see W.O.O.D.S.Q.U.A.T. Newsletter #2 and #28), as is a call of witnessing shifts.