In light of the recent debate between protesters and the general public about the use of direct action and property destruction during the Olympics, here's a great glimpse back at Vancouver's Frances Street Squats in this film called 'The Beat of Frances Street: Squatting in East Vancouver'.
Between February and November 1990, roughly a dozen to 30 squatters took over six buildings in East Vancouver (one of the building's was designated as a women-only squat).
The first part of the video shows the great spirit of the squat and what it meant to its residents. Here is a quote from a press release they sent out at the time:
“We are some of the many squatters in Vancouver who are occupying several of the hundreds of habitable houses left vacant by developers. These houses have been slated for demolition and gentrification. In the face of unregulated rent increases, and out of necessity, we have chosen to squat as one of many viable means of protesting this atrocity. Housing is not a luxury, it is a right, and these houses are available now. New developments must be kept within an affordable price range for all people presently affected by the housing crisis. We are currently organizing various neighbourhood inclusive community events (potluck barbecues, daycare facilities, community gardening and recycling) in an effort to open up communication between squatters and paying tenants. We intend to defend these houses. We have been forced to go public at this time because we are in danger of losing our homes.”
But as you see in the second part, things quickly get controversial as the squatters get divided into those that want to start erecting barricades and those that are opposed.
Its interesting to hear this debated echoed over the black bloc protest during the Olympics. Twenty years later and activists are still arguing about whether direct action is an appropriate tactic. I imagine its a debate that will never end.
Ultimately things begin to escalate as the squatters take their barricades into the street and it causes a showdown with the police who demand it be removed.
The situation reaches a pretty intense climax and about 100 police officers get ready for a showdown. A heavily armed SWAT team moves in to take down the barricades, destroy the houses. They believed the squatters were armed with guns.
Thirty squatters were removed, with 12 charged with mischief and obstructing a police officer. No weapons were found. The police response was dubbed "Operation Overkill" by the protest supporters.
