Members of Namegans Nation homeless and housing protest spent the night camped on the grounds of Victoria Law Courts ahead of their court appearance Wednesday.
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The appearance is for 10 campers, including leader Chrissy Brett, who were arrested Oct. 20 on charges of mischief for taking their roving camp onto the grounds of Woodwyn Farm, owned and managed by the Provincial Rental Housing Corporation.
The campers removed gates at the agricultural property located at 779 West Saanich Road on Oct.19, drove vehicles onto the property and established an encampment.
“BC housing has failed to provide homeless people with adequate, permanent and safe housing options, which [is] why we chose to occupy this site to house people who need a place to stay,” said Brett. “People need to belong somewhere.”
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Police say they spoke with representatives from BC Housing at the time who instructed them to remove the individuals after repeated attempts to have the group voluntarily leave the property were unsuccessful.
The campers were released on conditions that they do not return to the property.
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