(This story has been updated since it was first posted Feb. 27.)
The citys highest award was bestowed upon longtime community activist and city councillor Jim Green Sunday at a private ceremony held at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre just two days before his death.
Green, who died Tuesday morning after a second battle with cancer, was given the Freedom of the City award by Mayor Gregor Robertson, who attended the afternoon tribute that included union leaders, developers and musicians.
Jim Green has made a profound impact on the City of Vancouver and he continues to be a passionate advocate for social justice, democracy, the arts and shaping of an inclusive city for all residents, Robertson said in a statement issued by the city Monday.
Green, who was 68, spoke briefly to the 200 or so people gathered to celebrate the achievements of the Alabama-born man who fled to Vancouver in 1968 to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War.
Guests included former mayor Larry Campbell, Jim Sinclair of the B.C. Federation of Labour, Leonard Schein of Festival Cinemas, community activist Am Johal and Greens partner, Heather Redfern, of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre.
Friend Clay Suddaby said the key theme of Greens speech was the work of making Vancouver a more inclusive city for the impoverished and immigrants is not done.
You come to a place like thisand, yes, we fight, we argue, we have political battles but we dont kill each other, and we can show the world its possible to build a place based on love, said Suddaby, who was Greens media relations person when he ran for mayor in 2005. Jim is the only guy I know who can deliver that message convincingly.
Green listened to performances from Bughouse 5, a choral group from the Downtown Eastside and Joe Keithley of DOA, who sang a rendition of Johnny Cashs Folsom Prison Blues.
The three-hour private event came two weeks after Green announced publicly via friend and Vision Vancouver Coun. Geoff Meggs that he was battling a second round of cancer.
Green was first diagnosed with lung cancer two years ago. He was treated but received news recently that cancer had returned to his body and was spreading.
At the ceremony, Green, who served as a city councillor between 2002 and 2005, was recognized for his years of work to help the poor and the marginalized find housing, getting housing built and spearheading the Woodwards project.
Whether it was as a city councillor, developer, university lecturer, opera lover, author, union organizer or community advocate, Jim Green has demonstrated an unbounded love for our city and all its citizens, said Robertson, reading from the text that accompanied the award. Vancouver is better for it and countless Vancouver residents have been touched by his work.
The award is given only in exceptional cases, according to information posted on the citys website. It is reserved for individuals of exceedingly high merit who have gained acclaim in the arts, business or philanthropyand brought recognition to Vancouver through his or her achievements.
Recipients receive a Freedom Medal, a framed scroll and a decal that permits free parking at city parking meters. They also have their names inscribed in the Book of Freedoms and are entitled to be called Freeman of the City of Vancouver.
The most recent recipient was late philanthropist Milton Wong. Former mayor Art Phillips, big band leader Dal Richards and architect Arthur Erickson have also received the award, which dates back to 1936.
Twitter: @Howellings
