[Action-forum] Squeegee Action Press Release
Jane Scharf
N E W S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release
SQUEEGEE ACTION
OTTAWA- A group of squeegee kids have organized a protest of the so called,
³Safe Streets Act² and for Saturday June 25, at 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Their
aim is to take by the streets for the purpose of making a living.
A group of squeegee kids will be there to squeegee cars and pass out
information about the cities complete ban on all street enterprises.
Panhandling as well as the distribution of arts, crafts, street newspapers
and busking are not permitted on Ottawa streets with or without a business
license. A homeless person will be charged and jailed for distributing a
street paper for donations, or if they distribute their arts and crafts or
play music for donations.
The city is using both the temporary bylaw ³Designated Spaces Program² and
the ³Safe Streets Act² to enforce this extensive ban on street economic
activity.
The homeless are the hardest hit because they do not have any options.
Massive cuts to social programs and increased aggressive policing towards
street involved persons have created a tremendous crisis on Ottawa streets.
Most are not job ready and the flexibility of street enterprises is the only
feasible way for them to make a living
The Mayors office and the city legal department with the support of
Councillor Diane Holmes is trying to make this temporary ³Designated Spaces
Program² bylaw permanent by the end of August this year. The current
temporary bylaw involved with the ³Designated Spaces Program² only allows
hot dog stands and chip wagons in the down town core. No other street
vending is aloud with or without a license. The permanent version will be
extended to include only one more enterprise and that is ice-cream bicycle
and special events put on by the Business Associations will also be
permitted. A staff report was submitted to the Emergency Protection
Committee on June 9, 2005 entitled Vending On Highways (highways defined in
the report as all streets and all sidewalks in Ottawa).
Panhandler Proshanto Smith says, ³I am being treated like a criminal for
trying to make a living on the street the best way I can. I have been
harassed by police for squeegee, panhandling and distributing the Dominion
newspaper for donations.²
Jane Scharf says, ³we are being forced to break the law to make a living².
The crime in my view is the cruel exclusion of these brothers and sisters on
the street. They have a right to exist and share in the wealth of this
country.
I challenge the policy makers to go back to the drawing board and develop
fair plans for the management of Ottawa Street life.²
For more information contact:
Proshanto Smith (street name Turtle) at 808-9815
Jane Scharf at 740-1146
Andrew Nellis at 849-8294
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