The inside story of the memorial arena squat in Victoria BC

Arena: the inside story

On Saturday, November 16th 2002, a group of homeless, activists and supporters, made a decision to liberate the memorial arena on Blanshard St. in Victoria. An abandoned building slated for destruction in December, to be replaced by a $30 million multiplex.
The building was opened and those who chose to go inside began barricading and taking steps to protect their new home from a probable police invasion. However, the police attack came much sooner then expected. The police began brutalizing people on the outside when they showed up. Their story was that they were "investigating a B&E in progress". Two officers then broke through the line of people and proceeded to invade the squatters new home. The first squatter to arrive on the scene was immediately and brutally taken prisoner. As other squatters arrived to help, they realized it was too late and nothing could be done. "I was terrified for my physical safety, I thought I was facing a bad beating, maybe even worse" says one squatter. As other squatters fled in fear, a human rights observer stayed to insure the safety of the hostage squatter. She was subsequently arrested and dragged out of the building. All of the arrestees were thrown into a wagon and driven off, one prisoner was pepper sprayed and left without medical attention. Another feared that he suffered nerve damage in his hand and was also denied medical attention.
Of the five that were immediately arrested one was released the same day, another was released the next day. The last three were held from Saturday until Monday night, spending much of the time in holding cells and with inadequate hygiene and medical facilities, and nutrition. On Sunday after 'telebail' (a bail hearing over a telephone) was denied, the three were moved from the Victoria Police station to Wilkinson Road Correctional Centre. A provincial facility for offenders serving under 2 years and a remand centre for those who could be facing up to 10 years. One of the squatters was put in solitary confinement.
On Monday the three were transferred again to the Victoria Court. They spent the day in holding cells. At first the three were together, as one began to read something he wrote, he was separated from the other two and put in a cell with black felt over the window so he couldn't even see his comrades. Thanks to the organizing of another comrade, about 30 people from the community showed up in court for support, some with up to $1500 in their pockets to bail them out. The squatters were never brought to court. When they were finally released at 7:00pm they were let out the back door on the opposite side of where their supporters had been waiting for them. This is a disgusting example of how the majority of the police officers, correctional officers, sheriffs who went out of their way to take every last bit of freedom away from them. The squatters did mention a few of those officials that were somewhat sympathetic. But those who did try to take the freedom were met with failure with the 3 comrades joking and laughing all the way. One squatter said "they can take away our physical freedom, but never take the freedom out of our minds" and "they lose, we win". The three thank everyone who came out for support. "We might not have been released without them,