an important reminder from Samona that despite the copaganda, the Downtown Eastside still exists and so do the people who call it home:
tyson singh kelsall ਟਾਈਸਨ ਸਿੰਘ
@tsk.bsky.social
no more drug war | phd(c) @sfu-fhs.bsky.social | p.o.w.e.r. |
the involuntary treatment legislation that Daniel Vigo and David Eby have been working to expand has been found to be in violation of the Charter: bsky.app/profile/dsdp...
Doctors for Safer Drug Policy@dsdp.ca · 5d agowww.cbc.ca/news/canada/... An exciting, long awaited day. Hey @bcndpcaucus.bsky.social sounds like you have to write a new law. If you would like to consult with a few GENUINE experts on substance use disorders, we know a few. Hell, if you were feeling real bold we know a few patients too.
a valuable explainer of the legal arguments (and one maze of canada's drug war policies) heard in the last days of the DULF Charter challenge by @michellegamage.bsky.social: thetyee.ca/News/2026/07...
DULF Founders’ Drug Law Charter Challenge Ends | The Tyee
Compassion club co-founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum will wait months to learn if they face prison.
thetyee.ca
as DULF dominated the news cycle, and as they planned their high profile raid, the VPD claimed in FOI responses that no emails about DULF were sent to or from several senior officers for two of those officers, that wasn't true @defactomedia.ca www.defactomedia.ca/vpd-emails-f...
VPD claimed no emails sent to or from senior cops about compassion club ahead of raid. That’s untrue
Freedom-of-information advocates say force's non-response likely broke BC’s transparency law — and ask if Vancouver police should undergo ‘greater scrutiny’ for public transparency
defactomedia.ca
“Regulation on the rocks: Community-directed appraisal on the projected harms of reform to alcohol pricing in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver” by Mark Ng Shun and colleagues (2026) via @ijdrugpolicy.bsky.social…harm reduction or higher prices? Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
isabella zavarise@isabellazavarise.bsky.social · last mo.“We used software to edit out the names of the accused. The edited photo has been taken down and replaced with the original photo that has been cropped to exclude the names of the accused,” Sgt. Adam Donaldson wrote in an email. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
“We used software to edit out the names of the accused. The edited photo has been taken down and replaced with the original photo that has been cropped to exclude the names of the accused,” Sgt. Adam Donaldson wrote in an email. www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/ar...
Vancouver police explain ‘made with AI’ image of seized drugs, cash
The Vancouver Police Department posted an image of seized cash and drugs labelled “made with AI” on social media Wednesday, drawing backlash from some commenters.
ctvnews.ca
samona, delilah & myself spoke about some of the things we have seen at P.O.W.E.R. (@policeoversight.ca) as District 5 was created and FIFA approached in @theguardian.com: www.theguardian.com/football/202... bsky.app/profile/shar...
Vancouver’s World Cup has come with a supercharged policing campaign, residents say
In the Downtown Eastside neighborhood nearby BC Place, advocates have noted tactics and displacement that are putting lives at risk
theguardian.com
Sharon Nadeem@sharonnadeem.bsky.social · 2mo agoToday is the first game of the FIFA World Cup in Vancouver. But in the city’s Downtown Eastside, the lead up to the games has meant a increase in police violence & displacement. A community watchdog group has been keeping track. My first for @theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/football/202...
toronto & vancouver are both "increasing the number of officers and horses" for FIFA gift link: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/c51f4d9...
Police forces use drones, surveillance and manpower from elsewhere to keep World Cup secure
Approaches to policing the tournament are expected to look different in Toronto and Vancouver
theglobeandmail.com
VicPD officer Chris Kayiatos worked on Pandora Avenue “Beat Team” while under investigation for sexual assault New: www.policeoversight.ca/p/vicpd-chri...
Victoria cop Chris Kayiatos worked on Pandora Avenue “Beat Team” while under investigation for sexual assault
VicPD were made aware of the allegation against Kayiatos in April 2025, according to chief Fiona Wilson. Kayiatos continued to work until he was suspended with pay in May 2026.
policeoversight.ca
whether this is a 'pause' or reversal is not the point. we are not just one OPS short of stopping the deaths and ending the crisis. access delayed is access denied–it has been denied already for thousands of people who deserved urgency: themainlander.com/2026/05/29/c... bsky.app/profile/them...
Failure to ensure city centre overdose prevention site reflects BC NDP deadly abandonment of people who use drugs: Healthcare workers, legal advocates
Care Not Cops, Pivot Legal, BCCLA & BCNUSJ call for action on the 10-year long toxic drug supply emergency
themainlander.com
The Mainlander@themainlander.bsky.social · 2mo agoFailure to ensure city centre overdose prevention site reflects BC NDP deadly abandonment of people who use drugs: themainlander.com/2026/05/29/c... "The Health Minister has capitulated to the ideology of criminalization and containment"
Failure to ensure city centre overdose prevention site reflects BC NDP deadly abandonment of people who use drugs: themainlander.com/2026/05/29/c... "The Health Minister has capitulated to the ideology of criminalization and containment"
Failure to ensure city centre overdose prevention site reflects BC NDP deadly abandonment of people who use drugs: Healthcare workers, legal advocates
Care Not Cops, Pivot Legal, BCCLA & BCNUSJ call for action on the 10-year long toxic drug supply emergency
themainlander.com
Maybe if Vancouver Coastal Health rebranded it the FIFA Overdose Prevention Site the mayor would support it.
Provincial lawyers throw out case against fired SD61 trustees after texts between senior government officials and VicPD surface surface.
SD 61 trustees reinstated, Province concedes court case
Provincial lawyers have conceded their case against the fired Greater Victoria School District (SD61) trustees, new text messages between senior Ministry of Education, Victoria Police officials, and the special advisor appointed to SD61 board, came to light.
cheknews.ca
Bread and circus, friends! “PBO estimates total government support to co-host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup to be $1,066 million, of which federal support will be $473 million, with the remainder of $593 million funded by other levels of government.” www.pbo-dpb.ca/en/publicati...
$1000 fine for alleged street vending. the cruelty is the point. www.policeoversight.ca/p/prefifa-po... bsky.app/profile/poli... #vanpoli
P.O.W.E.R.@policeoversight.ca · 3mo agoTwo people were fined $250 each for smoking cigarettes: www.policeoversight.ca/p/prefifa-po... @pivotlegalsociety.bsky.social
Sim's motion directing staff to "use all tools available" inc permitting, licensing, prev legal settlements, etc to prevent opening of OPS passes. Councillors Fry and Orr had tabled motions to defer Sim's motion until council could hear from others, inc VCH; both voted down.
Andrea Woo@andreawoo.bsky.social · 3mo agoVancouver Coastal Health secures new location for Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site at 900 Helmcken. Previous location at 1060 Howe responded to 480 ODs, closed Jan 31. Lease begins June 1. Mayor Ken Sim moving urgent motion today directing city staff to use all tools to prevent its opening.
this fund is ~1/4 of the way there. there is already a heightened police presence throughout the new "District 5." support this harm reduction initiative to counter sex worker criminalization on days projected to be heaviest policed this summer: chuffed.org/project/1775... bsky.app/profile/anik...
SUPPORT FUND - Sex Workers Interrupting Criminalization Vancouver
Support our initiative by/for sex workers to reduce harm from FIFA policing.
chuffed.org
🫐 Anika Fields 🫐@anikafields.com · 4mo agoHello! We are collecting funds to support SWers who will be impacted by FIFA taking over the DTES. As always, happy to trade nudes for donations of $50 and above, and I’ll be adding this fundraiser as one of the ways I accept deposits. chuffed.org/project/1775...
"According to the data obtained through freedom of information...there were 2,066 non-fatal overdoses at Surrey Memorial between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 4, 2025" thetyee.ca/News/2026/05... @thetyee.ca
Hundreds of Surrey Memorial Patients Are Overdosing Every Year | The Tyee
But fatalities remain low, according to the BC Coroners Service.
thetyee.ca
This has been a long time coming. Join me and this rockstar team of journalists as we take charge of our own workplace. Our 1st article series launches on Monday with an investigation from @godfrey.bsky.social and @emmaarkell.bsky.social that we think will anger you into action. Sign up & follow!
De Facto Journalism Co-op@defactomedia.ca · 3mo agoThis International Workers’ Day, we're putting media back in workers’ hands. De Facto Journalism Co-op is a new non-profit of 6 worker-owners producing in-depth journalism focused on justice issues and systems of power. To get our first investigations next week, subscribe here: defactomedia.ca
HI HELLO happy International Workers' Day! i'm so excited to say this is finally happening! After so much time and energy with these wonderful friends, we're launching our non-profit worker-owned co-operative to do journalism the way we want to do journalism.
De Facto Journalism Co-op@defactomedia.ca · 3mo agoThis International Workers’ Day, we're putting media back in workers’ hands. De Facto Journalism Co-op is a new non-profit of 6 worker-owners producing in-depth journalism focused on justice issues and systems of power. To get our first investigations next week, subscribe here: defactomedia.ca
the B.C. Coroners Service posted two reports on April 24 and I guess nobody noticed? I did just now. it should've been A HUGE SCANDAL #bcpoli Deaths of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness in British Columbia (2016-2024) www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/b...
World Cup games to have largest police deployment in Vancouver's history vancouversun.com/sports/vanco...
this fund is ~1/4 of the way there. there is already a heightened police presence throughout the new "District 5." support this harm reduction initiative to counter sex worker criminalization on days projected to be heaviest policed this summer: chuffed.org/project/1775... bsky.app/profile/anik...
SUPPORT FUND - Sex Workers Interrupting Criminalization Vancouver
Support our initiative by/for sex workers to reduce harm from FIFA policing.
chuffed.org
🫐 Anika Fields 🫐@anikafields.com · 4mo agoHello! We are collecting funds to support SWers who will be impacted by FIFA taking over the DTES. As always, happy to trade nudes for donations of $50 and above, and I’ll be adding this fundraiser as one of the ways I accept deposits. chuffed.org/project/1775...
No cop city anywhere - from atlanta to vancouver, cities are being militarized against their inhabitants. themainlander.com/2026/04/20/v...
Academy at Woodward's marks "tactical escalation" by Vancouver police, writes drug user education group
themainlander.com
“I’m not giving up – like a dandelion that can grow anywhere, even in the concrete. We still have a chance to fight to keep this open,” reflects long-time PACE member Mama Rosa in a new report on the 2025 closure of the organization’s drop-in space. themainlander.com/2026/04/17/p...
New report looks at impacts of PACE Society’s closure
After 30 years of operating as a community organization by and for sex workers, PACE closed its services in 2025.
themainlander.com
We echo and stand with the First Nations Leadership Council. @davidebybc.bsky.social built his career on the backs of people that he now abandons and systematically dispossesses.
David Eby’s Abandonment of Human Rights Betrays His Own Government | The Tyee
Dropping DRIPA is a political calculation that will leave the province worse off.
thetyee.ca
Vancouver friends! I'll be reading from a couple pieces I wrote for Briarpatch and talking about how the labour disputes I profiled have evolved since publishing those stories. Come out and support independent journalism! www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticket...
Briarpatch Presents: A Vancouver Special
Briarpatch is excited to present ... A Vancouver Special! You are invited to join us on Saturday, April 18th between 4pm and 8pm for a fundraiser in support of Briarpatch's grassroots journalism. The ...
zeffy.com
Briarpatch Magazine@briarpatchmag.bsky.social · 4mo agoWe’re coming to town! Briarpatch is excited to present … A Vancouver Special! Join us on Saturday, April 18th for a fundraiser in support of Briarpatch’s grassroots journalism. The evening will feature readings and presentations by local writers and community organizers.
New report looks at impacts of PACE Society’s closure: "...consequence of a system that prioritizes investments in policing as a main approach to “community safety” in place of sustained investments in social infrastructure, support and reciprocal care" themainlander.com/2026/04/17/p...
New report looks at impacts of PACE Society’s closure
After 30 years of operating as a community organization by and for sex workers, PACE closed its services in 2025.
themainlander.com