We're selling the Premier's house. Really.

I'm not into mean spirited events targeting politicians as individuals rather than for their politics. This seems to be a fun spirited event and not meant to harass, but rather to make a very important point and to put something on the media radar that should be front page news: Even though all sides proport to support affordable housing there are very obvious bad decisions being made that the provincial government needs to be held accountable for.
~rusl.

From: CALM Housing calmhousing@-@hotmail.com

Sunday, April 26, 1 pm,

East 33rd & Quebec Street, Vancouver

During the past year we have marched, leafleted, petitioned and rallied. Now it's time to turn up the heat. Before May 12th we need to hear explicit plans from both major parties about how they will put an end to the rampant housing crisis in B.C.

One of the most blatant examples of government indifference to the housing issue is the plan to sell off Little Mountain Housing and other social housing sites to developers. Government has promised to put the proceeds of the sales into social housing sometime in the future, yet their only published plan is to build supportive housing for people with addictions and mental health problems. They have persistently ignored the urgent housing needs of low-income families.

Public land is a public trust and is not the Premier's to sell. If he thinks he can sell property that belongs to us, we figure we can sell property that belongs to him. This satirical strategy worked 20 years ago in Saskatchewan when a group of citizens put the Premier's house on the market after he announced that he was selling off a crown
corporation. The government looked foolish and the sale was cancelled.

Please join us for an hour on April 26 at 33rd and Quebec Street in Vancouver. An entertaining event with a very serious purpose. A crowd will make headlines.

Barry Growe, Community Advocates for Little Mountain (CALM)

604-325-7209

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE MOST EXCITING

REAL ESTATE SALE

IN BRITISH COLUMBIA HISTORY

We are selling the Premier's House

Why? Just because.

• Because housing is a human right
• Because many low-income families cannot afford to live in B.C.
• Because the government is selling off Little Mountain Housing to a developer
• Because public land is a public trust and is not the premier's to sell

If he can sell property that belongs to us, we figure we can sell property that belongs to him.

Join us on April 26. Become a shareholder. You will receive an official, completely worthless certificate suitable for framing, entitling you to 1 share of the Premier's house.

• Skits & political satire Clowns but no politicians
• Jugglers No distinguished speakers
• Cheap donated food Great music
• Have your photo taken with Mr. Con Dough. It's a freebie.

April 26 Too hot to ski, too cold to camp. Just right for tossing politicians on the barbie.

It will take you 45 minutes to participate and, if we get a big crowd and good news coverage, we just might influence government policy on affordable housing in this province.

Come for the satire, stay for the garage sale. Yes, we're selling his garage too.

Rain or shine. We've got 9 tents. The Canucks game doesn't start until 5 pm. For more details go to www.my-calm.info or call the CALM Warm Line at 604--->325-7209

Authorized by Community Advocates for Little Mountain (CALM) Barry Growe 604-325-7209 Registered sponsor under the BC Election Act Gag Law

Dear Supporters of Little Mountain Housing:

To start off the New Year, you're invited to join us at the Little Mountain Outdoor Art Gallery to make a strong statement for affordable housing.

If we speak with one voice, government will have to listen.

In fact, their hearing is already improving.

What: Little Mountain Art-In, 2nd Edition

When: Sunday, January 11th, 1:30 - 4:30 pm

Why: The Art-In at Little Mountain on December 7 was a resounding success. Fifty-some artists participated and many said they'd like to come back. Their art made powerful statements, caused BC Housing to attempt censorship, and resulted in a remarkable 12 television, radio and newspaper stories.

With the provincial election less than five months away, a deepening housing crisis and a downturn in the economy, the government can be pressured into action. The need for affordable housing is urgent - let's get the homes at Little Mountain re-opened!

Where: Little Mountain Housing complex at 33rd & Ontario and, if you wish to paint indoors, at a hall nearby.

Who: Artists and community members who want to stop the demolition of the 224 homes at Little Mountain and have them re-opened for families in need of affordable housing.

How: The Outdoor Gallery at Little Mountain has numerous open places where new work will make an impact. All supplies provided, although you are welcome to bring your own.

Details on the exact location will be sent soon. For more information, go to www.my-calm.info or call 604=325+7209.

We are voicing the urgent need to preserve current social and affordable housing and to build much more. Let's keep the momentum going.

All the best and Homes for All in 2009!

CALM (Community Advocates for Little Mountain)

NEWS COVERAGE OF THE ART-IN ON DECEMBER 7TH

• Vancouver Sun Gallery, Dec 7th
• The Straight, Dec 7th
• 24hrs, Dec 8th
• Metro, Dec 8th
• The Province, Dec 8th
• The Straight, Dec 15th
• The Province, Dec 15th
• Between the Cracks Magazine
• 24hrs, Dec 16th

There has also been good coverage on CBC tv (news at 6), CTV, City TV (Breakfast Television), and CBC radio (the Early Edition).

Artwork that was censored by BC Housing following the Art-In.... link

sit or sleep in road or sidewalk

The Beat of Frances Street

This important documentary has recently been put online. Squatting is similar to Critical Mass in that it is a way of reclaiming/redeeming space that is privately controlled and making it public. Both these movements face obstacles such as legal nonsense. But mostly the obstacle is in our own minds as we leap away from that fearful private hostile attitude towards the open reality we actually share.

The first half of this 1990 video contains footage of everyday life at the Frances Street Squats and presents responses to the question "why do you squat?" by fourteen residents. The second half of the film focuses on internal arguments over the use of barricades against the imminent police assault and documentation of the assault itself (including commercial news footage) and community responses.

Here is the 5 part Youtube version:



There is also a Bit Torrent version to download (single AVI file 753.65MB)

Keep seeding!

And for a background try wikipedia.

Feel free to write your thoughts/reviews! I Actually haven't watched this the whole way yet but will soon and will post what I get from it then.