The People’s Budget
The People’s Budget 604 (#PeoplesBudget604) survey results are in and the people have spoken!
The People’s Budget survey ran from May 1 to September 30, and received 761 responses. By a large majority, 86% of participants supported defunding the Vancouver Police by 50%!
It’s time the City of Vancouver redirect public money from the Vancouver Police Department to initiatives that build safe, healthy and sustainable communities for all.
Based on what was shared in the survey, the People’s Budget 604 demands:
Peer-led Non-Violent Mental Health Service, Supports, and Wellness Checks
Accessible Non-Market Housing & Ending the Displacement of Houseless People
Land Back & Building a Traditional Healing Centre at CRAB Park
Why does the VPD get $340,901,000 (20% of the City Budget) every year to police and criminalize communities already made vulnerable by systemic injustice?
Make your voice heard and amplify these demands! Use this template letter to write to the City of Vancouver--tell them what your priorities are: safe, healthy and sustainable communities, not cops and carceral injustice. Please do share this template letter with comradesto make sure our voices are heard in a big way!
As of November 24 you will be able to sign up to speak to the Mayor and Council about the City Budget for their December 1 agenda item. We hope you consider raising your voice in support of those who shared their experiences in the People’s Budget survey and who face numerous forms of oppression including policing in advance of the Council vote.
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The People’s Budget 604 is a project of the Defund 604 Network. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous self-determination and organize on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Skwxwu7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Q'e'yc'ey (Katzie), Qw'?ntl'en (Kwantlen) kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), qiqéyt (Quay Quayt), and Stó:lō peoples.
If you would like to learn more about the Defund 604 Network visit linktr.ee/DefundNetwork
Photo: Y Hanson Photography