Garbage protest crossed line, Sullivan says

from the CBC

Vancouver mayor vows he won't be intimidated

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan said Friday he will not be intimidated by the actions of poverty activists who dumped garbage in front of his condominium building to protest against the prolonged civic strike.

Sullivan said he has no problem with political attacks but feels that the activists crossed the line by dumping five overflowing grocery carts of garbage at his Vancouver condominium door on Friday morning.

"It's a very frustrating time for all of us,'' he said. "But one of my commitments is that no matter what kind of personal or political attacks I receive, my goal is to look after all of the taxpayers, all of the citizens."


Vancouver police were on the scene of the incident Friday morning, which activists have said was an act of protest the civic strike, which is entering its second month.

Patricia Chug, who lives in Sullivan's trendy downtown Vancouver neighbourhood, said she was coming out of her home at 6:30 a.m. when she saw half a dozen "young kids in black goodies" quickly wheel up the carts, spread the garbage around and write obscenities about the 2010 Winter Olympics on the sidewalk.

"Some of them were pushing these carts and unloading garbage and others are writing on the sidewalk. [They're] very co-ordinated, very quick, in and out in 10 minutes," Chug told CBC News Friday morning.

Three Vancouver police officers called to the building helped clear the garbage.

Police are investigating the incident.