Anti-Racism Protests In BC Are Blocking Bridges In A Historically Black Neighborhood

For the second day in a row, people have returned to block off busy bridges near the city's downtown. Vancouver protesters built barricades and held signs in support of Black rights and against racism. They stand in a historically Black area of town that was reportedly dismantled to build the bridges they're standing on.

Peaceful protestors were seen back on the streets and geared up with blockades and signs on Sunday, June 14, reported the CBC. They stood blocking off the Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts, in a part of town called Hogan's Alley.

The blockades began on Saturday, June 13 on those same bridges, cutting off traffic from the usually busy viaducts.

The Vancouver chapter of Black Lives Matter has a list of demands including defunding the police and addressing how destroying Hogan's Alley has harmed Black, Indigenous, and communities of other marginalized people.

The protesters present held signs that read "defund the police" and "defund white supremacy," according to the CBC.

According to CTV News, Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart has no plans to meet with the protesters, though his director of communications said he has and will be working on the issues they've identified.

Vancouver Police has also issued a statement on Twitter asking drivers to avoid the area, and that traffic is closed on both directions across the Georgia Viaduct.

Hogan's Alley is the unofficial name for that small block of town, according to the Vancouver Heritage Foundation. It was also the city's very first Black neighbourhood, with the name being used as far back as 1914.

Notably, the area was also home to the grandmother of Jimi Hendrix, who would visit her throughout his childhood.

The neighbourhood met its end in the late 1960s to 1970s when the city demolished parts of the area to build what is now the Georgia viaduct, finished in 1971.

Vancouver hasn't had a Black neighbourhood of its cultural significance since and so this is a significant place for anti-racism protests in the city.