A group of protesters supporting the Black Lives Matter movement continue to occupy parts of Downtown Vancouver on Monday morning.
The demonstration began on Saturday and is supported by Vancouver’s Black Lives Matter chapter. According to organizers, the viaduct was chosen to pay homage to Hogan’s Alley, a Black community in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood. It was demolished when the City of Vancouver built the viaducts.
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Earlier this morning, protesters occupied the Georgia Viaduct for a third straight day.
Videos captured and shared on social media show members of the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) attending the demonstration and reportedly arresting demonstrators and “being aggressive.”
HAPPENING NOW IN “VANCOUVER” ON THE VIADUCT COPS ARE AGGRESSIVE AND ARRESTING BIPOC pic.twitter.com/qgzjCrq7B1
— zamzam (@m0thergirl) June 15, 2020
HAPPENING NOW ON THE GEORGIA VIADUCT COPS ARE ARRESTING AND BEING AGGRESSIVE pic.twitter.com/0L3uJhaWGh
— zamzam (@m0thergirl) June 15, 2020
Sergeant Aaron Roed confirmed with Daily Hive that officers were on scene but was unable to confirm whether any arrests had been made. The protesters have since relocated, reopening all lanes of the Georgia Viaduct to traffic.
#VanTraffic: All lanes of the Georgia Viaduct are now open.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) June 15, 2020
Another photo shared on social media shows that the protesters relocated to the intersection at Main Street and Union Street.
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Police are now advising commuters of traffic delays expected around Gore and Main Street.
#VanTraffic: Please expect traffic delays around Gore and Main streets this morning due to a protest.
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) June 15, 2020
The VPD is expected to release a statement regarding the protests later this morning.