For decades, it has been allowable by BC liquor policies for the public consumption of alcohol in the province’s public spaces in certain circumstances. Under provincial liquor policies, “a public place, or part of it, may be designated, by a bylaw of the municipality or regional district that has jurisdiction over the public place, as a place where liquor may be consumed.” (s 73, Liquor Control and Licensing Act of British Columbia).
Despite this allowance, few, if any, municipalities or regional districts have taken the necessary steps to allow for controlled liquor consumption in public spaces and we all know that does not mean that liquor is not being covertly and responsibly enjoyed in these same places.
On Sunday August 27th, between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm, you are cordially invited to join us at first beach in English Bay, easily accessible by transit & located along Beach Ave between Gilford St and Bidwell St, for a beer drinking protest. (We’ll be the ones in the CAMRA shirts, and will keep you posted of our location and status in the event comments!)
What does that mean?
This will be a family friendly event where people will be encouraged to bring their kids, beach games, and some food. There will be no beer for sale or supplied to anyone at the event; but some of us will be bringing a beer to drink responsibly at the event as a form of protest.
We’ll have snacks and non-alcoholic beverages available by donation to the #bccraftcares wildfire relief campaign, and will have Safe Ride Home transit tickets available for those who need one – RSVP for the event on Facebook so that we can prepare for the right number of people!
People are expected to behave intelligently and responsibly.
We will be notifying the Vancouver Police Department and they can choose to send officers to oversee it if they so choose.
Additionally, we will be notifying media so they can cover the story.
The executive team will be present to ensure that things don’t get out of hand and that we leave the place spotless.
The short of it is: if you want to come and cause a scene or get unbelievably drunk, stay home! This is an opportunity for responsible drinkers to show to the local government that they can enact these bylaws and not be afraid of what the population will do. This is very specifically detailed by Paddy Trevor, president of the British Columbia Society in a statement HERE:
https://camravancouver.ca/public-drinking-statement-camra-bc/
More details from David Perry, president of CAMRA Vancouver:
https://camravancouver.ca/august-2017-presidents-update/
If you come to the event, you come to it knowing that you’re willfully breaking the law and may be fined. It is our hope that in being transparent with the Police Department and working with them they will see that we mean no harm and are simply looking to evolve the scene for consumers across the lower mainland.
If you think this event is for you and you would like to be a part of driving change forward, please join us!
https://www.facebook.com/events/522309111445148/