Injunction sought to preserve right to feed and clothe the homeless

Attention News/Assignment Editors:

Injunction sought to preserve right to feed and clothe the homeless

CALGARY, Dec. 22 /CNW/ – The Court of Queen’s Bench will be asked toissue an injunction to prevent the City of Calgary from shutting down aministry that feeds and clothes the homeless this winter. In a Statement ofClaim filed today, lawyers for Art Pawlowski have asked the court to allow himand his team to continue with their program of feeding and clothing thehomeless and telling them the Christmas story. Yesterday, City officialsadvised Pawlowski and his lawyers that the City’s Parks Department would notrenew the permit necessary to allow the program to continue as it has in thepast.

 

Although the City points to complaints from citizens about noise, anindependent investigation has established that the sound of the program cannotbe heard on any private residential property in the City. Pawlowski believesthat all complaints have come from wealthy home owners who do not like to seethe homeless congregate in downtown parks.

 

Lawyers from Chipeur Advocates will argue that the Charter of Rights andFreedoms guarantees the rights of all citizens – including the homeless – tofreedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom of religion. They willassert that City officials acted in willful contravention of the Charter andthat the Court should grant a declaration that the homeless have the right toassemble, to listen to the Christmas Story, and to receive gifts of clothingand food. Furthermore, the Court will be asked to maintain the current Citypermit in place until the trial of the matter.

 

One of the last programs to be carried on this year under the currentpermit will take place on Christmas Eve at 2:00 p.m. outside the Calgary Drop-In Centre (423 – 4th Avenue SE). All Calgarians are invited.