Downtown Eastside group denounces ‘ bully tactics’ used against new restaurants
A group of Downtown Eastside representatives has denounced anti- gentrification protesters targeting businesses such as Pidgin and Cuchillo restaurants, saying they employ bullying tactics and cast a shadow over the neighbourhood.
The group, comprised of 16 individuals from organizations including the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association, the Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood Council and Aboriginal Life in Vancouver Enhancement Society, held a press conference Thursday morning in Pigeon Park, directly across from Pidgin restaurant, which has been host to nightly protests since it opened in February. This week, the same protesters also began targeting Cuchillo restaurant, which recently opened on Powell Street.
“We are here today to say unequivocally that using personal intimidation and bullying tactics to raise issues and promote positions is unacceptable and has gained public attention for far too long,” said Crosstown Residents Association co- chairwoman Fern Jeffries, reading from a statement.
People who live and work in the DTES have long felt bullied by vocal protesters, who claim to represent the neighbourhood, said Judy McGuire, executive director of the Inner City Safety Society. The Pidgin and Cuchillo protests inspired residents like her to speak out.
“I think that the Pidgin restaurant has to some extent coalesced people’s feelings around the fact that enough is enough,” she said. “But the reality is bullying has been used as a tactic in this neighbourhood for some time, both against individuals ( and) against businesses, as a way to make a point.”
While picketing businesses is legal, McGuire said protesters have “crossed the line” with intimidation tactics. “It’s no better in high schools than it is in community planning.”
Wes Regan, executive director of the Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association, said the protesters have misrepresented the neighbourhood as one that is divided and hostile toward newcomers. What the area needs is community dialogue and “place- based” grassroots planning to ensure it grows to accommodate existing residents and economic opportunities brought by new businesses.
Rob Morgan, an aboriginal resident of the Woodward’s building who was a squatter in the old grocery store, said there is room for high- end restaurants in the DTES as long as “mom and pop” corner stores stick around. “We have to keep a balance of what’s coming into the neighbourhood,” he said.
The new businesses have hired people in the community and provided food to residents working at the Sunday market in Pigeon Park, he added.
“The reality is ... I don’t see the point of protesting every day, twice a day.”
But DTES resident Tami Starlight, who has participated in the protests, rejected the notion her group was bullying neighbourhood residents. Rather, she contends it’s low- income residents that are being bullied and pushed out by development. “There’s tons of irony in that because that’s exactly what the civic government of Vancouver does with business associations and business people and people with tons of privilege and power.”
She said she felt many of the group’s members have a “vested interest” in seeing the neighbourhood gentrified.