We may finally see the dismantling of the Falun Gong protest structure on Granville Street, outside of the Chinese Consulate. A decision by the BC Supreme Court gives the City the right to order the takedown.
The hut outside the Chinese Consulate has been there over five years, making it a permanent structure according to city bylaws and Madame Justice Stromberg-Stein.
Councillor George Chow says the Falun Gong have every right to protest, they just can't have the shelter on public property.
"We have had complaints from people. Some residents are saying they don't like to look at the structure day in and day out. I guess as a city we have to balance all the interests. We have no problem if they’re protesting in the same location every day like they did before."
The Falun Dafa Association have one week after the bylaw is issued to take down their structure and signage.
Falun Gong practitioners in Vancouver have been carrying out a 24/7 vigil outside the consulate since August 2001. Protesters also erected a wooden structure at the 3300 block of Granville Street, between a sidewalk and a wall that surrounds the consulate, which the city claimed was encroaching on the sidewalk.
Clive Ansley, Counsel for the Association, says they're looking at their legal options.
Original text from:
1. Court ruling says Vancouver can take down Falun Gong structure
http://www.news1130.com/more.jsp?content=20090130_002622_52368
2. B.C. court orders Falun Gong to remove protest hut from Chinese consulate
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hdPgSCZVJhC2N6RkbxVVGEhSJODA
3. Court orders Falun Gong to dismantle protest
http://www.vancouversun.com/Court+orders+Falun+Gong+dismantle+protest/1233102/story.html
(Facts.org.cn, Thursday, January 29, 2009)
