A large police presence has been noted at Ravine Way and Carey Rd this morning as Saanich police begin dismantling the tent city that has moved there from its original location in Regina Park.
The property is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Saanich police have been asked to help the province ensure that all campers vacate the premises.
In a tweet on Tuesday morning, police stated that eviction activities could cause traffic delays as the land borders the highway.
On Sept 15 a group (self referred to as Namegans Nation) claimed MOTI land as theirs in #saanich. MOTI has requested our assistance to ensure the property is vacated today. As this land boarders Hwy 17 there may be delays in the southbound lanes #yyjtraffic. pic.twitter.com/19LByQVbRY
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) September 18, 2018
Officers from Victoria and Oak Bay police detachments are also on site to assist the Saanich PD.
For the most part, the residents appear to be complying with the police orders. However one supporter of the camp was arrested after crossing police tape.
Large police presence at Ravine Way and Carey Rd as @SaanichPolice begin evicting tent city occupants from provincial land. Pictured below is an officer pulling out a supporter who had crossed the yellow tape #yyj #yyjnews pic.twitter.com/epdCndSlp5
— Victoria Buzz (@victoriabuzzes) September 18, 2018
Residents at the new tent city in Saanich, off Ravine Way and Pat Bay Highway, appear to be complying. They are dismantling their tents as dozens of officers from @SaanichPolice and @vicpdcanada surround the encampment. #yyj #saanich pic.twitter.com/CNkTTC6sd6
— Victoria Buzz (@victoriabuzzes) September 18, 2018
Residents and supporters take to social media
In an effort to document and denounce police activities today, ‘Camp Namegans’ and activists that help run it have taken to social media.
Here are a few tweets that showcase their side:
BREAKING: 20 cops have surrounded #NamegansNation tent city in Saanich. Residents are asking people to come down ASAP to witness and record the police's ongoing repression and displacement efforts
— Against Displacement (@stopdisplacemnt) September 18, 2018
If you're in Saanich please go to Carey Road and Ravine Way RIGHT NOW. Police currently evicting camp. Shame on you BC government. This is state violence. You gave the instruction. https://t.co/MrlUJaoGSn
— Anna Cooper (@CooperAnna) September 18, 2018
The show of police force against Indigenous-led #namegansnation in the displacement efforts at now 2 locations is more than we have ever seen against a tent city in BC. 75 cops from 3 departments. This is colonial violence @bcndp pic.twitter.com/uU47vSZUnq
— Ashley Molli (@aimollison) September 18, 2018
Horrified that homeless residents of Namegans Nation are being displaced yet again with literally nowhere to go? Let the Minister of Transportation & Infrastructure (MOTI) know how you feel about a horde of cops being sicced on the camp – @ClaireTrevena at (250) 387-1987 https://t.co/xn9l5RwSe9
— Against Displacement (@stopdisplacemnt) September 18, 2018
In response, Saanich police are telling homeless people about the 100+ parks where they can seek temporary shelter in the municipality.
We’re letting people know, who are experiencing homelessness, there are 100+ parks in #saanich where seeking temporary shelter is permitted https://t.co/ti8u70jMyt. Temporary overnight sheltering can occur from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. Temp sheltering is not avail in these parks tho. pic.twitter.com/YDbkopjwLF
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) September 18, 2018
Background
The tent city that dubbed itself ‘Namegans Nation’ on Saturday, September 15th consists of approximately 75 homeless people that were ordered to leave their original encampment at Regina Park by the BC Supreme Court.
On Sunday, Saanich police stated that the new encampment has a “significantly more confrontational tone“.
On the same day, the BC government issued an eviction notice to all the people residing on the provincial land along Ravine Way north of Uptown Mall.
On Monday, BC Housing announced 25 shelter beds at the Native Friendship Centre will open up Oct. 1st every night until the end of March. This shelter was only used if an extreme weather alert had been issued.
