I have recently been attempting to have at least a cursory read of the reams of newspapers, newsletters, trade journals and magazines which end up stacked in my “to read” pile at work by taking them home at regular intervals to review at home. Tonight I read a very interesting profile of John Richardson, executive director of the Pivot Legal Society in the March issue of National (the Canadian Bar Association monthly magazine). A former resident of monastery on the West Coast of Japan, Richardson is practicing Buddhist who meditates every morning and is a neighbour of the addicts, prostitutes and homeless he advocates for in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside. By attempting to empower the downtrodden by advising them of their rights and by documenting abuses, Richardson aims “to raise the floor of how low people can fall.”
I admire people like Richardson who, when faced with injustice (real or perceived), have the courage and conviction to speak to power. That said, the escalating conflict between Pivot and the Vancouver Police and Chief Jamie Graham is unfortunate as it directs attention away from the real issue: the appalling living conditions of DTES residents who face pervasive substance addition, mental illness, inadequate SRO housing and exposure to violence on a daily basis.
The BC Civil Liberties Association has it absolutely right that there should be an independent audit of the internal investigation process for police complaints. Independent accountability can only increase public confidence in the VPD, will address systemic issues should they exist and the focus can be re-directed back to where it belongs – the DTES residents themselves.