Occupy Regina, with its roughly 21 tents located at Victoria Park, was given an eviction notice for Saturday, November 12, 2011, or residents were threatened with possible civil and criminal prosecutions, including fines for trespassing and other bylaw infractions.
The eviction notice was given to Occupy Regina on Thursday, November 10, 2011 by a bylaw enforcement officer with a police escort.
As of Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 9:30 p.m. (EST) Occupy Regina remains standing and committed to the cause. It was reported that police or bylaw officials never showed up to facilitate the eviction, though there is speculation around camp that the eviction might be enforced some time on Monday, November 14, 2011, when bylaw officers return to work.
It seems the City of Regina is following in the footsteps of London, Ontario, where numerous bylaw infractions were cited as the reason the city shut down the Occupy protest. City officials have informed the group via letter that it is violating a number of city bylaws, including a rule against trespassing in between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. daily, and establishing a shelter in the park without a permit.
Earlier this week, bylaw officers came in person and informed residents they were to leave Victoria Park. Now, the eviction has a firm deadline. Citing other city concerns regarding health and safety, the city removed the donated portable toilet that was donated to the movement earlier this week.
A quick statement from Occupy Regina included the quote: “You can’t evict an idea.” Occupy Regina members are meeting regarding a course of action for Saturday.
Occupy Regina has been active since the original Canadian call-out of Saturday, October 15, 2011, and has a sister Occupy in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
There is a petition to stop the eviction of Occupy Regina. Here is the text.
“Occupy Regina is the Regina arm of a global Occupy movement pushing for a system that works for, not against, the 99% of us.
The occupation site is located in Victoria Park in downtown Regina. The group has received wide-spread community and public support. Despite the peaceful nature of the occupation and the overwhelming support the group has received a request from that the Occupy Regina camp be shut down under threat of enforcement of unconstitutional bylaws.”
If you agree, you can sign the petition by clicking this link.
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