The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users looks back on 20 years fighting for human rights
The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users looks back on 20 years fighting for human rights
In October 1997, Libby Davies had just been elected as the NDP MP to represent Vancouver East, a position she held until 2015. In a telephone interview, she recounts her first meeting at the church. "It’s a long flight of stairs up to that room," she begins. "It was very dark, it was extremely crowded. There were people sitting on the floor. There were flip-chart pages all along the walls, because Ann Livingston always used to write down what people said." Davies was greeted with skepticism. "Oh, a politician," she remembers a member of the audience said as Osborn introduced her. "But I told them that I was there because I was their member of Parliament," Davies continues. "That they were my constituents, and I was hugely concerned about what was going on with the overdoses and the criminalization of users, and that I was there to help them."
The original article, The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users looks back on 20 years fighting for human rights was published on September 4, 2017 in The Georgia Straight. Author(s): Travis Lupick
Libby's Bills to stop discrimination based on social condition
PBS Interview: Canadian court OKs doctor-assisted suicide, but who’s eligible
PBS Interview: Canadian court OKs doctor-assisted suicide, but who’s eligible
In March, Canada's Supreme Court ruled unanimously that all Canadians have a constitutional right to have doctors help them die. Special correspondent John Larson reports from British Columbia on how doctors, patients and politicians are grappling with how to set rules and eligibility in the next year JOHN LARSON: A member of parliament, Libby Davies, has supported right-to-die issues. She says, despite the court’s ruling, the current government may delay any new law until after the national elections next October. Click to listen or read the full interview.
The original article, Canadian court OKs doctor-assisted suicide, but who’s eligible? was published on April 1, 2015 in PBS. Author(s): PBS Newshour
Petition for Libby's National Housing Strategy Bill C-304
Contradictory Pot Laws in Need of Immediate Reform
Contradictory Pot Laws in Need of Immediate Reform
OTTAWA – Libby Davies, NDP MP from Vancouver East, called today on Prime Minister Paul Martin to move quickly to re-introduce marijuana reforms when Parliament returns in October.
“In light of Marc Emery’s arrest last month for “passing a joint” and the recent arrests on Commercial Drive, Parliament needs to have a realistic discussion about the laws governing adult marijuana use,” said Davies.
“We are seeing huge legal problems with the lack of rational and just laws governing marijuana,” said Jack Layton, Leader of the Federal NDP.
Marc Emery, President of the BC Marijuana Party, is currently serving a sentence for trafficking after sharing two marijuana cigarettes with others after an anti-prohibition talk in Saskatchewan.
“Many are likely not aware but “sharing a joint” is considered trafficking under our current federal laws,” said Davies. “I had an amendment when Parliament considered changes to the marijuana laws last fall which would have struck this from the books, but the Liberal dominated committee voted it down.”
Yesterday on Commercial Drive in Vancouver police raided a store that was openly selling marijuana and arrested six.
“These sorts of situations are going to continue if Paul Martin and the federal government refuse to face the issue, and as result lives are ruined because of criminal convictions. And communities and local business will be unfairly affected by police raids,” said the Vancouver East MP.
The Federal NDP will continue to push for changes to the marijuana laws when Parliament resumes this fall. These will include: amnesty for past possession convictions, reduction or elimination of fines for personal possession, and non-punitive measures for personal cultivation.
Leadership in Transitioning Times Panel – Libby Davies
Leadership in Transitioning Times Panel
This year’s High Ground forum included a keynote plenary on the topic “Leadership in Transitioning Times” with Libby Davies (Social activist, former MP and Deputy Leader of the NDP), Josha Macnab (Director, Pembina Institute BC), Craig Suave (City Councillor of Montreal), and Stephanie Smith (President, BCGEU). Description: Environmental and social upheaval, shifting values and economies – amplified by new media and impacted by shrinking mainstream media resources – are changing the leadership landscape. In this Saturday morning plenary, our keynote speakers reflect on our transitioning times and share the opportunities and challenges they see for those who lead. Watch the video of the panel in the link.
The original article, Leadership in Transitioning Times Panel was published on April 15, 2017 in Centre for Civic Governance. Author(s): Centre for Civic Governance
Our first day in Jerusalem
Our first day in Jerusalem
Getting through the King Hussein crossing into the West Bank from Jordan took approx 1.5 hours and at least six different checks – but no problems. This evening (Saturday) was quite eventful. After being dropped off at our hotel by the Canadian office representative from Ramallah, the six of us (three MPs, and three from Code Pink) walked down the winding street towards the old city.
Without realizing it at first we walked through a small area where 67 Palestinians were recently “evicted” and Jewish settlers moved in immediately. Sabbath was almost over and the settlers were leaving prayers, in their long black robes. A young American woman told us of the daily events unfolding as three Palestinian families try to hold onto their homes(the latest in a number of ongoing evictions). The Hanoun family is sleeping on the street, a few short paces from their family home of many generations. Police and border guards arrive as tensions rise. You can feel the tension as settlers gather in small groups and the evicted families and supporters say one of them has been attacked. The police appear to push back the settlers from getting too close. We observe quietly and listen to the young woman whose family is now on the street. She explains that they were forcibly awakened in the early morning and put out of their homes. No time to gather belongings, and personal items. It seems lawless here – and the sense of uncertainty is all around.
We also learned that Mohammad Khatid and five others have been arrested from the village of Bi’lin for incitement to “damage the security of the area”, http://palsolidarity.org/2009/08/7982 .
These are the villagers that have employed creative, non-violent strategies, against the barrier of the wall that dissects their village and land. We will be visiting the village. It seems hard to believe that Mohammad, who visited Parliament Hill and spoke with a few MPs, including me, in June is now in jail.
As you enter Jerusalem from the Allenby bridge the vista of illegal settlements on just about every hill top is surreal.
We will be visiting the village tomorrow.
In Support of Insite
In Support of Insite
Today, as I stood in the grand, marble hall of the Supreme Court of Canada, awaiting the decision on Insite, my thoughts were back at Main and Hastings, knowing that many folks were gathered there, very early in the morning, to await this important decision.
When we heard the decision I felt an enormous sense of relief and victory. I listened to Dean Wilson, one of the two original plaintiffs, who went before the assembled media and poured his heart out about what Insite meant to him and drug users, former and current. He told quietly about how Insite helped him in his recovery. He spoke about the years of struggle it has taken to reach this important decision.
I also thought about the thousands of people who have died needlessly of drug overdoses and the people who helped the campaign to get Insite open and stay open.
It is a great victory legally. It is also a victory for the rights of drug users and the huge challenge they took on to speak out with courage, hope, and for access to basic health safety and support.
I remember the day in 1997 when 1000 wooden crosses were put up in Oppenheimer Park to symbolize the deaths of so many people who have died overdoses. I came to Ottawa that summer as a newly elected MP with the knowledge and responsibility of the impact of these deaths and the criminalization of drug users who were being left in misery and distress.
It became a mission to take this issue on and challenge the status quo. Always, it was the voice of the drug users themselves, who propelled the issue forward. People like Bud Osborn, Ann Livingston, Earl Crow, Melissa Eror, Mark and Liz, Dr. Montana, Evan Wood, Thomas Kerr, Donald McPherson, and so many more, who dedicated themselves to the idea that human rights, and decency was the first order, thus challenging conventional views on archaic drug laws.
I will remember this day – and know that when people are together, things can change and at the highest Court in Canada, those who are least heard were heard.
Libby