Women
Reps Arrested at the Legislature Today
BC
Coalition of Women Centres
For
Immediate Release
March
12, 2004
PRESS CONFERENCE
BC - Five representatives from the BC Coalition of Women's Centres refused to leave an office at the BC Legislature this morning after a meeting with Ida Chong, Minister of State for Women's and Senior's Services. All of the representatives were arrested this morning and were later released. They will be holding a press conference at 1 pm today.
Press Conference
WHEN: March 12, 2004 1 pm
WHERE: Victoria Police Headquarters, 850 Caledonia St., Victoria
Speakers: Representatives of Women's Centres and supporters
The Coalition went into the meeting with two requests: a commitment from Ida Chong to re-open the continuing agreement between the Government and the 37 Centres across the province with the intention to continue to fund crisis intervention, referral and emergency response services and to arrange an emergency meeting with Finance Minister, Gary Collins on this same issue. The Coalition has conceded the advocacy and political action services they provide that have been seen as so problematic for this Government.
The Government is cutting 100% of core operating funding to all Centres by March 31st, 2004, which is resulting in the closures of Centres across BC.
The BC Liberals have subjected women to more than our share of devastating legislation and cuts. They continue to put women at risk of starvation, harassment, violence, homelessness, addiction, unemployment, lose of their children, and isolation, with no legal aid and nowhere to turn.
Today, the BC Coalition of Women's Centres is saying enough is enough. Government rhetoric is no longer an acceptable response to the women of BC.
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Contacts:
Benita Bunjun: 604-727-0292 or 604-255-6554
Deanna Ogle: 604-719-1760
BC Coalition of Women Centres
100 Mile House . Campbell River . Comox Valley . Chetwynd . Cranbrook . Fernie . Fort Nelson . Fort St. John . Golden . Grand Forks . Howe Sound . Kamloops . Kelowna . Kitimat . North Shore . Penticton . Port Coquitlam . Queen Charlotte Islands . Quesnel . Richmond . Ridge Meadows . South Surrey/White Rock . Surrey . Terrace . Ucluelet . Vancouver . Vernon . West Kootenay . Williams Lake
www.bcwomen.cjb.net
bcwomen@telus.net
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Page last updated March 12, 2004