Vancouver drug advocacy group removes 'reprehensible' merchandise attacking city councilor
A Vancouver drug advocacy group has removed offensive merchandise from its website that attacked a city councilor, and issued an apology.
The group, Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), has previously been endorsed by Vancouver City Council for its proposal of a safe supply model for drug use. In a motion passed unanimously in October, councillors supported the application for a “compassion club model to supply safer drugs to people who use drugs, and who are over 18 years old.”
The application was put forward by DULF and the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU).
The group also worked with Coun. Jean Swanson in handing out free drugs on the Downtown Eastside last July.
DULF had recently updated its online store to sell merchandise attacking another councillor, Melissa De Genova. One item was a T-shirt with the words “Follow the money, Melissa 'Spaghetti' De Genova," and another was a pin that read “Melissa De Genova is a pumpkin-headed f***.”
On Twitter, De Genova posted, “I don’t expect DULF to agree with me on drug policy or the harms of the dark web, but what does my ethnicity have to do with it?”
Stewart was asked about the merchandise Wednesday, and said he had reached out to De Genova to offer his support.
In an interview with CTV News, De Genova said she found out about the merchandise on Tuesday through a text from a friend.
“I do believe that personal attacks take away from the important work that we’re doing at City Hall and more and more, these personal attacks happen not only to elected officials, but I do think it’s getting worse for women,” she said.
The group was also called out by Mayor Kennedy Stewart.
“It’s everything bad about politics. Personal attacks, especially against women are one of the things that’s hurting our democracy so they absolutely must stop this,” the mayor said. “This is reprehensible by the group, they know better and they should immediately stop this and apologize to the councillor for this. We all have to respect each other.”
The group told CTV News their spokesperson was on leave, but said in a message: “Ultimately, the merchandise was meant to be provocative and bring attention the baseless and harmful misinformation constantly expressed by (Melissa De Genova). Artistic expression and comical critique are important tools for civil disobedience.”
They said De Genova had spread “harmful misinformation” about the group and their safe supply model. De Genova said she had voiced concerns in a council meeting about the “dark web” and its connections to the drug market.
“I support safe supply and I would suggest that this group or any other that also support safe supply instead spend their time and efforts focusing on people who don’t support safe supply,” she said.
By late afternoon, the group had removed the material from its website and issued an apology.
“We would like to extend an apology to Councillor De Genova and anyone else hurt by our recent materials,” the group wrote on Facebook. “While we did intend for them to be provocative, they should not have been personalized. It was inappropriate and detracts from the real issue at hand, drug poisoning deaths.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.