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Off The Defensive Vancouver

@otd.van

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Vancouver Chapter of @otd.op: uniting neighborhood struggles for working class power!
@otd.toronto @op.otd.mtl @off_the_defensive_ottawa

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The September South Van Neighbourhood Assembly (SVNA) is happening on Saturday September 12th from 1-3pm at the usual spot, St. Augustine’s church in Marpole (8680 Hudson st)!

We are stronger when we fight together, addressing our problems means confronting our enemies as the neighbourhood! Come to hear updates on ongoing struggles! New faces & ideas are welcomed ✨✨ by @otd.van

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a month ago

Calling all neighbourhood organizers in Vancouver! ☎️ Do you want to unite with neighbourhoods locally and across Canada to build working class power?

We want to hear from you! 👋

Off The Defensive is a new cross-country organization that unites neighbourhood organizers. The Vancouver Chapter aims to link neighbourhood working class struggles across the Lower Mainland.

Through our past experiences, we have found that our local struggles can often lose momentum. When we aren’t united across neighbourhoods, it can lead to a lack of strategy, capacity, and aspiration - we call this limitation “localism”

We need a strategic horizon to overcome localism, keep up the fight and to stay united. Our strategic horizon is socialism!

Let’s share the lessons of our neighbourhood organizing and learn from our past experiences to go beyond our neighbourhoods and become united across Canada.

It is time to get off the defensive! 🥊

If you want to stay in the loop or are interested in joining the Vancouver Chapter of OTD, connect with us using the link in our bio! 🔗

Follow along with the other chapters of OTD
@otd.op
@otd.toronto
@op.otd.mtl
@off_the_defensive_ottawa taken in Vancouver, British Columbia by @otd.van

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8 months ago

The tenants of the Bonanza building have been dealing with a broken elevator for more than 70 days!! Elderly, disabled and working-class tenants were left without a working elevator and no communication from the management for the reasons for a month.

Seniors and tenants with disabilities were forced to crawl up and down the stairs. Some were hurt trying to carry daily essentials.

After 57 days with minimal communication from the owner, the tenants came together to make demands to the landlord-
* Provide a clear date for the elevator to be fixed.
* Refund 50% of the rents for every month the elevator is unrepaird.
* Provide a new elevator as the current one is at the end of its life.

The owner did not respond directly to any of these requests for support to the owner. Instead of taking action to support the tenants, they placed the blame on the Elevator company and the complexity of the logistics for repair. This is a pattern we have seen every time there is an issue in a building. These landlords are hard to reach and when they do get back, they shift the blame onto others.

After more than 70 days of tenants coming together and pressuring the landlord, the elevator has finally been fixed. However, the landlord has not refunded the tenants. The tenants are moving forward and taking collective action to obtain compensation for the lack of service for two months, because we have seen that if we don’t collectively take actions, these landlords love to keep their pockets full and not spend on repairs. by @otd.van

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18 days ago

One year ago, we came together for Off the Defensive’s founding conference. Since then, we’ve spent the year building, learning, and organizing alongside our neighbours.

Here’s a look back at our first year, from the conference to the work on the ground. This is only the beginning ✊🏽 by @otd.van

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a month ago

Last Sunday, On August 23rd, Off The Defensive spoke on the ILPS 6th National Assembly Report Back panel alongside Bayan BC, East Van Workers Assembly and Indigenous Land Defender Billie. Organizers talked about how crucial it is to have a place for disagreement if we want to build an anti-imperialist movement here in “Canada” and a need for a protracted struggle to win people over. by @otd.van

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a month ago

Come tomorrow to Redgate in so called “Vancouver” to hear from amazing speakers about how we can build the anti-imperialist movement! by @otd.van

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a month ago

Gerry Ambers, from Native Alliance for Red Power, spoke about organizing in the late 60’s and 70’s in the panel discussion called mass organization and land back at the workshop organized by @comox_valley_4_palestine . She also talked about how educating the community made them a threat to the settler colonial state here. by @otd.van

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2 months ago

Some moments from yesterday’s bbq and games at Marpole Park. We connected with our neighbours, talked about some of the struggles in the neighborhood and next steps. We also had food and played soccer. Stay tuned for future events in the neighborhood 💕 by @otd.van

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2 months ago

On August 9th, Off the Defensive Vancouver participated in a panel discussion called “Mass Organization and Land back” organized by @comox_valley_4_palestine . Bereket is a neighbourhood organizer from Marpole and here he is talking about organizing the unorganized in his neighbourhood through social investigation. He is sharing some of the main challenges in his neighbourhood and how we can turn our problems into actions. The panel included members from other organizations such as Native Alliance for Red Power, Northern Tenants Union in Prince George, International League of People’s Struggle, Dahlia- FFPS and indigenous organizer Dakota. We will be sharing some of the lessons we learned from the workshop in the next few weeks. by @otd.van

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2 months ago

What does “Off the Defensive” mean and why is the organization called that? Swipe 👉to learn more about the name!! by @otd.van

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2 months ago

Vancouver has a by-law requiring residential elevators to work at all times and owners are legally responsible. But in reality this standard is rarely enforced. The repairs drag on for months and residents with mobility issues get left stranded. It is also good to know that fines have gone up for owners and the city can step in after 30 days. Swipe through the slides to know more.

We’re a group of South Vancouver neighbours organizing around this. If you’re dealing with the same issue and want to work together, reach out: otdvancouver@gmail.com.

It is time to hold owners and landlords accountable!!! by @otd.van

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2 months ago

🌽South Van Neighbourhood BBQ| Aug 15| 4-7 PM| Marpole Park🌽

Off the Defensive Vancouver invites you to our South Van Neighbourhood BBQ! Join us for an afternoon of food, games, and conversation with neighbours. Our communities are strongest when we know each other and organize together. Everyone is welcome.

Bring a buddy, family members or your neighbours, share ideas, and connect with people organizing for a more just and better South Van.

See you on the 15th!!!! by @otd.van

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2 months ago