Heal the divide
Setting the “youths’” record straight on 105 Keefer
Update 18/07/2017: A letter from Mayor Gregor Robertson.
This collective open letter from 105 Keefer public hearing participants addresses City of Vancouver’s council closing statements on 105 Keefer made at the June 13, 2017 council meeting: https://youtu.be/_5xhJgubfM0
If you were a 105 Keefer public hearing participant and want to sign this letter, please go here.
Dear Mayor and Council,
Thank you for rejecting the 105 Keefer rezoning proposal. It was undoubtedly a difficult decision, and we appreciate the time and consideration that was involved. Thank you for listening to everyone who participated. In rejecting the proposal, you publicly acknowledged and recognized Chinatown as an integral, living, and founding part of this city’s culture. We thank you for that.
Respectfully, we need to address how youth in opposition of the project were characterized during the final City Council meeting for 105 Keefer on June 13, 2017. On public record, several councillors made false and slanderous accusations of youth who spoke against the rezoning. We came together to write this open letter to you because we need to set the public record straight.
Much of the organizing work by youth in opposition to the rezoning has gone unrecognized. Many youth attended the hearings at City Hall day after day; some took time off paid work to participate and engage in the civic process. Youth supported participants in many different ways. They provided simultaneous translation, accompanied and arranged transportation for seniors, and encouraged and supported those with difficult personal experiences, backgrounds, and fears of public speaking to not be afraid to speak. They showed up and advocated to ensure that those who cannot speak English had an equal opportunity to express themselves and be included in a public process. These are individuals who — beyond an investment in their heritage, culture, and the future of their community — have no direct or indirect self-interests in the 105 Keefer proposal. Instead, they prioritized their community. They demonstrated good citizenship that should be encouraged, commended, and cited as a model for youth engagement.
In this passionate and heated public hearing, there were some instances of jeering and booing by citizens in attendance and this behaviour was not reserved to young people. These few instances were emotional reactions to the testimonies of a small number of speakers that were deeply disrespectful to Chinatown and the Chinese-Canadian community. Those speakers should be held accountable for their words and actions. The Chinese-Canadian community has faced a history of wrongdoings in this city and still fights against its erasure by pressures such as the 105 Keefer development.
That said, we need to directly address statements made by several councillors about youth who came to City Hall to express their opposition to the rezoning of 105 Keefer:
- Councillor Jang stated, “some of the Chinatown activists, the youth in particular, were very disappointing in their behaviour.” He further asserted, “You [the youth] do not represent Chinatown to me and the Chinatown I know. And don’t forget, I was there long before a lot of you. I worked down there, I did everything down there.” Youth are not a homogeneous entity. Councillor Jang’s statements neglect the diversity of opinions and voices in a rich community, and discriminates against individuals based on age. The City of Vancouver website states that one of the City’s goals is to “ensure youth have a place in the city…ensure a strong youth voice in decision-making…[and] promote youth and their contributions as a resource to the City.” Further, the City’s Chinatown Neighbourhood Plan (2012) is based on the Chinatown Vision (2002) document that includes “Youth Connection and Community Development” as an important tactic to “[e]ncourage community involvement and leadership development of youth.” Throughout the 105 Keefer public process, youth were passionate and invested in this issue because they see the value in honouring the past and upholding community legacies. While they do not have the same lived experience as elders, youth have unique and valuable contributions and resources. Councillor Jang’s statements are ageist and communicate the message that youth voices are illegitimate and have no place in the civic process.
- Several councillors stated that Musqueam Councillor Howard E. Grant was booed. Signatories to this letter do not condone this behaviour towards any speaker who respectfully shared their views and were equally respectful to the communities they addressed. During the speeches, those of us who acknowledged the unceded Indigenous territories upon which Vancouver is located did so to recognize the colonial past and present of our city, and are working towards truth and reconciliation at different levels. However, Councillor Reimer said, to “hear people reference or acknowledge territory and then subsequently boo an elder, an elected councillor of the Musqueam Nation was one of the most difficult moments” she has had in the chamber. She implied that the many who acknowledged the territories were insincere and responsible for disrespectful behaviour toward Councillor Grant. This is a false general characterization of the diversity of people who included a land acknowledgement in their presentations.
- Councillor Stevenson claimed that “younger people were not respectful to their elders.” Throughout the public hearing, Councillor Stevenson questioned repeatedly whether youth were against seniors. The narrative of “youth against seniors,” which was also put forward by several pro-105 Keefer speakers, is absolutely untrue. Views of and visions for Chinatown are not determined by age. We stand in solidarity with the seniors of Chinatown. Every day, many young people work directly with seniors who live in Chinatown. They accompany them to medical appointments, provide English-language translation to meet their daily needs, serve on committees together, and ensure that they are able to engage authentically with the City of Vancouver’s civic process. Youth who accompanied seniors to the public hearing did not speak for them. They enabled elders to speak for themselves, as individuals with opinions and agency. The false narrative that pits youth against seniors renders the healthy intergenerational relationships in Chinatown invisible.
- Councillor Deal claimed that she saw people “bully.” Councillor De Genova later reasserted that claim by saying that “certain groups of millennials were targeting, bullying, [and] coercing” and were “trying to encourage speakers who were waiting to speak, to not to speak.” Contrary to these allegations, despite pervasive security presence at City Hall throughout the public hearing, we did not witness security apprehending or escorting anyone off the premises for bullying, intimidation, harassment, or otherwise. In the days leading up to the final vote, some media reported allegations made by the rezoning applicant, Beedie Living’s 105 Keefer team member Eric Szeto (President of the World United Senior Promotion Association & Steering Committee Member of the Chinatown Seniors Cultural & Recreational Coalition) that seniors were being bullied and silenced. Mr. Szeto’s allegations are also false. In fact, after he was seen handing out River Rock Casino tickets to seniors who spoke in favour of the rezoning, Mr. Szeto aggressively instigated the goading of youth, loudly shouting false accusations of senior abuse.
- Councillor De Genova noted that she was told to “go on permanent maternity leave by someone” on Twitter. The comment Councillor De Genova referred to was made by an anonymous internet troll who is not associated with Chinatown advocates. Several Chinatown youth were witness to this incident on Twitter. One youth immediately intervened and called out the misogyny towards Councillor De Genova. However, Councillor De Genova subsequently suggested that the troll was one of that individual’s “peeps.” We condemn the misogyny Councillor De Genova experienced, but we are disappointed that Councillor De Genova inferred on public record that “certain groups of millennials” — namely the youth who spoke in opposition to the rezoning — were the ones that made the comment in question. Twitter is an open online platform full of anonymous accounts and personalities of all ages and opinions. We condemn the tweet attacking Councillor De Genova and are not related to the individual who wrote it.
- Councillor Deal said that people on “social media [made] assumptions about [councillors’] position[s]” and Councillor De Genova stated people on social media tried “to suppose [their] votes.” Certainly, issues around potential councillors’ conflicts of interest were discussed online; transparency and disclosure of such information to the public is integral to our democracy. However, as aforementioned, the Internet is an open arena, and the dialogue online involved people across Vancouver, including many who were not present at or involved in the public hearing or process. Inappropriate exchanges can and do happen online; we condemn them, but we are responsible only for our own statements.
At a time when youth engagement with civic issues is at an all-time low, it is an act of suppression to label youth as a wholly disrespectful and unruly “mob,” when in reality, they organized and wholeheartedly participated in this civic process. As one speaker noted online: “Characterizing all youth (mostly [people of colour]) as disrespectful is [a] way to discredit their work, organization, validity, [and] education.”
We are disappointed in the false characterization, generalizations, and groundless accusations made on June 13. We are deeply insulted by the shaming, and the condescending tone used by the councillors who made broad accusations and assumptions based on age and opinion. We share your disappointment in the few instances where language and behaviour were out of line, but we ask that you listen to the youth’s words rather than patronize and police their tone.
Like you, we are dedicated and passionate about working for our neighbourhoods and cultures. However, you are elected leaders with great power, privilege, and responsibility. Your words and statements extend beyond the council chamber into the public realm, public opinion, and the written history of our city. We and our future generations will continue to show up at City Hall, question whether proposals and policies are for the public good, and hold elected officials accountable.
In his closing statement, Councillor Meggs called on “new voices for continued engagement…by forging constructive alliances and practical programs to achieve the new future for [the] Chinatown [that] we all aspire to.” We are excited about the possibilities of that vision, and the work ahead to achieve it with you. But as several councillors said, first heal the divide. Shaming a group of young Vancouverites only serves to divide City Council and the next generation of Chinatown. We hope that you choose to publicly heal the divide, so that we can work with you on rebuilding Chinatown.
Sincerely (in alphabetical order by last name),
If you were a 105 Keefer public hearing participant and want to sign this letter, please go here.
Zian Alladina, Speaker #291, Present on May 23, 29
Shirley Chan, Speaker #27, Present on May 23, 25, 29, June 13
Tingchun Chen, Speaker #171, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29
Elizabeth Cheong, Speaker #147, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29
Sincere Cheong, Speaker #261, Present on May 26, 29
Belle Cheung, Speaker #231, Present on May 26 and portion of May 29
Doris Chow, Co-Founder, Youth Collaborative for Chinatown – 青心在唐人街, Speaker #120, Present on May 23, 25, 26, portion of May 29, June 13
June Chow, Co-Founder, Youth Collaborative for Chinatown – 青心在唐人街, Speaker #72, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29, June 13
Iain Chow, Present on May 23
Susan Chow, Speaker #257, Present on May 29
Frantz De Rycke, Speaker #79, Present on May 23
Pete Fry, Speaker #272, Present on May 29
Melissa Fong, Speaker #139, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29, June 13
Justin Fung, Spokesperson, Housing Action for Local Taxpayers, Speaker #86, Present on May 23, 25, 26 (portion), 29, June 13
Sasha Gaylie, Youth for Chinese Seniors, Present on May 23, 25
Sydney Hermant, Present on June 13
Kay Higgins, Speaker #93, Present on May 23, and portions of May 25 and 26
Kevin Huang, Executive Director, hua foundation; Present on May 25, 26, June 13, portion of May 29; live stream on May 23.
Amanda Huynh, Present on May 23, June 13
Joseph Jones – Viewed majority of video livestream, wrote letter May 26, physically present for 45 min midday May 29, and all of June 13 in Council chamber as VMC media
Cynthia Kent, Speaker #229, Present on May 23, 25 and 29
Angela Kruger, Speaker #87, Japanese Canadian Young Leaders of Vancouver, Present May 23 and 25
Isabel Krupp, Speaker #144, Present on May 23, 25, 26, and 29
Wai Tsi Lam, Speaker #265, Present on May 23, 26, 29, June 13
Louis Lapprend, Speaker #262, Present on May 29, June 13
Andrew Lau, Speaker #35, Present on May 23, 25, 26, portion of May 29
Megan Lau, Speaker #112, Present on portions of May 23, 26
Christina Lee, Present on May 23, June 13
Helen Lee, Chair, Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee (CHAPC), Speaker #2, Present on May 23, 25, 26 & portion of May 29, June 13
Lily Lee, Speaker #107, Present on May 23, 25, 26
Mark Lee, Speaker #83, Present on May 23, 25, 29 evening, June 13
Christopher Leinonen, Speaker #109, Present on May 23, 25, 26
Tania Leon, Present June 13 and portion of May 26, Present on live stream May 23, 25, 29
Kevin Lim, Present on May 23, June 13
William Lim, Speaker #187, Present on May 23, 26, 29, June 13
Jessica Lio, Speaker #199, Present on May 23
Yulanda Lui, Chinese Seniors Outreach Worker and Coordinator, Youth for Chinese Seniors, Speaker #90, Present on May 23, 25
Kevin Ly, Speaker #233, Present on May 23, 25, 26 and portion of May 29.
Virginia Tina Ly, Present on May 23
Fred Mah, Chair, Chinatown Society Heritage Buildings Association (CSHBA), Speaker #98, Present on May 23, May 25, June 13
William Ma, President, Mah Association of Canada, Speaker #171, Present on May 29
Melody Ma, Speaker, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29, June 13
Susan Ma, Speaker, Present on May 23, 25, 29, June 13
Jodie Mak, Present on May 23 and June 13
Carmut Me, Present on May 23, 26, Portion of May 29 and June 13
George Oud, Present on live stream, Portion of May 23, 25, 26, 29 and all of June 13
Wendy Pederson, DTES SRO Collaborative Society, Present on May 23
Mirza Raza, Present on May 25, Shared opinion with council via email
Anita Romaniuk (COPE), Speaker #102, Present on portion of May 23, all of May 25 & 26
Tyler Russell, Speaker, Present on May 29 and June 13.
Jane Shi, Speaker #211, Present on May 25, 26, 29, June 13
Adrian She, Present on May 23
Todd Smith, Speaker, Present May 29
Douglas Soo, Present on May 23, 25, 29
Vincent Siu, Architect AIBC, Siu Architecture Inc., Speaker #85, Present on May 25,
Jean Swanson, Speaker #18, Present on May 23, 26, June 13
Alec Tsang, Witnessed portions of hearings via video May 23, 25, 26, 29 and June 13
Karen Tsang, Witnessed portions of hearings via video May 23, 25, 26, 29 and June 13, shared opinion with council via email
Emily Tso, Present on June 13
Hayne Wai, Speaker #23, Present May 23, June 13
Harsha Walia, Downtown Eastside Women’s Center Coordinator, Speaker, Present May 26, 29, June 13
Amanda Wan, Speaker #141, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29, June 13
David Wong, Speaker, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29
Janice Wong, Speaker #224, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29, June 13
Jeffrey Wong, of Speaker #153, Present on May 23, 25, 26
Aynsley Wong Meldrum, Speaker #154, Present on May 23, 25, 26
Mary Wong, Present on live stream, Portion of May 23, 25, 26, 29 and all of June 13
Stephan Wright, Speaker #274, Present May 23, 26, and 29
Joanna Yang, Speaker #217, Present on May 23, 25, 26, 29
Henry Yu, Speaker #130. Present May 25, 26
Thomas Robson, Speaker #136, Present on May 23 and 26
Madeline Cheng,portions of hearings via video May 23, 25, 26, 29;Speaker, Present May 29
Donna Lee, speaker 255, present May 23, 25
Wyngaarden Cornelia, Not physically present but followed the proceedings. It makes no sense to me to label the youth who cared enough to be involved as disrespectful as their involvement points to the very opposite. I know many of the Chinatown youth and these youth care about the fate of the elders sincerely and that is why they were there. I have experienced nothing but kindness from many of them.
Yolanda Lillquist,MD, Present on May 23,June 13. As a Chinese Canadian senior I have the utmost admiration and respect for the Chinatown youth who are passionate to revitalize and preserve our Chinatown heritage.
Andrea Lum, Speaker #133, spoke on May 29, present May 23, 25, 26, 29
Yuk Ming Ho, Not physically present but followed the proceedings and written letters to the City and Council. Someone said “ I was here long before a lot of you….” As a Canadian senior myself I disagree that the length of time of being some place does not automatically grant a person a higher level of authority over the others. Perhaps it is time to step aside and show some respects to those who dare to fight for our future generations. Great job indeed, congrats especially to the youth! ———-
Kathy Shimizu, Speaker #126 (but spoke on May 29th), Present during portions of May 23, 25, 26, 29
Rachel Lau, Present May 23, 29, June 13
If you were a 105 Keefer public hearing participant and want to sign this letter, please go here.
References:
June 13 City of Vancouver Council Meeting: https://youtu.be/_5xhJgubfM0
May 25 City of Vancouver Public Hearing, Councillor Howard E. Grant speech at 3:14:30: http://civic.neulion.com/cityofvancouver/index.php?clipid=3495637,000