Demoviction protesters in Burnaby refuse to leave building

Protesters at an occupied apartment building in Burnaby told RCMP on Friday they’re not leaving, despite a court injunction ordering them out.

For nearly a week, protesters with the Alliance Against Displacement have been holed up in a building on Imperial Street. The low-rise building is slated for demolition, making way for the construction of a low-rise condo development. Protesters say the removal of the current building is depriving some of the city’s most vulnerable of an affordable place to live.

READ MORE: Activists call for Burnaby to save older apartment buildings from demolition

On Friday, RCMP officers came to inform protesters of the injunction, but there would be no face to face talk, as protesters barricaded themselves inside a top floor unit.

“We told them there is a valid injunction in place and they’re required to abide by that injunction,” Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Brad Gibson said.

From the balcony, David Diewert, an organizer with the Alliance Against Displacement, said they will remain inside for as long as they can.

“As police are enforcing this law, the law is also used to throw people out of their homes and out of their communities. This seems completely unjust,” Diewert said.

This occupation is the latest expression of frustration by former tenants and housing advocates, who maintain the city isn’t doing enough to protect affordable housing.

“We need a plan of the people from the ground up,” Diewert said.

Protestors are calling for a meeting with Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan.