Anti-racism protesters cleared from viaducts, seven arrested

An anti-racism occupation was cleared from the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts into Downtown Vancouver on Monday.

Just after 6:30 a.m., a number of police officers reported to the viaducts, which had been under occupation by demonstrators since Saturday. Protesters were told they had the option to voluntarily leave before cops would step in to arrest participants and attempt to clear the span.

A number of tents had been set up at both the west and east ends of the viaducts.

Early Monday morning, some tents had been removed from the west end of the occupation, though demonstrators appeared to be holding their ground as police issued warnings.

Around 7:30 a.m., police could be seen leading a number of peaceful protesters off the east end of the viaducts toward Strathcona, as city crews cleared pallets, tents and other shelters that had been constructed on the roadway.

Around 8:45 a.m., Vancouver police said all lanes of the Georgia Street Viaduct had been reopened to vehicle traffic, after protesters were marched off the east end of the viaduct and took their march north on Main Street.

Seven people were arrested for refusing to leave the area. The VPD says it’s recommending they be charged with mischief and intimidation by blocking a highway.

“For the most part, protesters were co-operative with VPD officers this morning and cleared the roadway when asked,” said VPD spokesman Sgt. Aaron Roed. “The arrests were made after protesters ignored multiple requests and warnings from police.”

The occupation of the viaducts was launched in solidarity with other Black Lives Matter rallies across North America and around the world, after the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minn. Floyd had been placed under arrest and was being detained face down on the ground when an office knelt on his neck for several minutes until Floyd stopped breathing and died.

Protesters in Vancouver chose to occupy the viaducts, as they’re located on the former site of Hogan’s Alley. The area was a hub for Vancouver’s Black community until it was razed in the 1960s to make way for the construction of the Georgia and Dunsmuir streets viaducts and on-ramps.