The events of Wednesday, August 18th, have shaken our team. That morning, we were dealing with the impacts of police aggression following Monday’s Candlelight Vigil, when we learned that some of our community’s most beloved QTBIPOC organizers had been arrested by Halifax Regional Police. Over the next few hours, we watched as police refused to stand down, instead choosing to use violence against citizens and peaceful protestors.
In response, we cancelled festival events and opened our site to those needing food, water, first aid, a safe space, and fresh clothing for victims of pepper spray. While some of our team members were at the protest protecting those without housing, a handful of staff members and volunteers opened the site to over 250 people seeking help throughout the day.
Our whole team feels the impact of these actions deeply.
We often say that we want the festival’s resources to serve the community, but those resources have never been needed in this way. We do not regret our response to the situation,
but we are angered by this manufactured crisis.
The closing of our festival is always a time of reflection, but this year, that reflection feels especially personal and needed. When interacting with our team members, understand that many of us are in different places emotionally. We will respond to messages and the needs of the community as quickly as possible, but many are still managing intersecting traumas.
We want to thank all those offering support to one another in these challenging times. We will need some time to recharge, heal, and process these events with friends and community members. We look forward to gathering with you again soon.
Please follow the organizations listed to stay informed of ongoing housing support efforts, and consider donating.
Halifax Mutual Aid - @halifaxmutualaid
Out of the Cold Halifax - @otchfx
GameChangers902 - @gamechangers902
