A group protesting in support of the Black Lives Matter movement continued to block vehicle access to the viaducts in and out of Downtown Vancouver through the weekend and into Monday morning.
Vancouver Police say that more than 90 people left the area after they were asked to leave by police. However, seven people refused and were arrested.
“For the most part, protestors were cooperative with VPD officers this morning and cleared the roadway when asked,” says Sergeant Aaron Roed, VPD. “The arrests were made after protesters ignored multiple requests and warnings from police.”
#BlackLivesMatter protest in Vancouver BC Viaducts blocked. Defund the police is their message. Because asking nicely never got us anywhere... pic.twitter.com/kGdpQHfA8o
— James Sanyshyn (@JamesSanyshyn) June 14, 2020
At around 6 a.m. on Monday morning, police began asking protestors to allow public access to the viaducts. The viaducts were open again by 9 a.m.
Police are requesting charges of ‘mischief’ and ‘intimidation by blocking a highway’ against the people who were arrested. The protest was peaceful with no major incidents until the arrests.
Protest from viaducts now block intersection at East Cordova & Main pic.twitter.com/gdF7dA2uvj
— Yvette Brend (@ybrend) June 15, 2020
The location of the protest holds historical significance. The are once housed Hogan's Alley, a hub for Vancouver's Black community located between Prior and Union and Main and Jackson beginning in the 1920s. The neighbourhood was torn down in the late 1960s, following which the Georgia Street viaduct was built in its place.
VANCOUVER WE R AT THE GEORGIA VIADUCTS NEED MORE PPL pic.twitter.com/m9pNlmCE2w
— Web Adm1n of The Dirty vancouver/Mirage promoter➐ (@yourxiaolongboo) June 13, 2020
- With files from Megan Lalonde.
