{UVic Poverty Law Club} New Executive, UVic Social Work Prof Asking for Help

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NEW EXECUTIVE ELECTED The Poverty Law Club Elected a new executive and ratified an updated constitution at its AGM today: (links go to photos so you know who everyone is) Co-Presidents: Joshua Prowse + Jeremy Burgess VP Admin: Mark Osmond + Emmett Scrimshaw VP Communications: Eric Pedersen VP Internal: Matt Boulton VP External: Pip Stanaway, Lyndsey Delamont Note: Pip was elected in abstentia.  There were two people elected to a number of positions as a number of club members will be leaving next semester to go on co-op terms and so there was a desire to try to have a larger executive for the next two months to build institutional knowledge. We brainstormed a list of events that the club might want to hold over the course of this year: you can view the list  VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: PETER VERIN This is an email the club received from David Turner (pictured, right). David is professor of Social Work at UVic, an anti-poverty activist and the former mayor of Victoria. He heard about the Poverty Law group and asked if any members of the group would be interested in helping him work on the legal case of Mr. Verin, a well-known figure at UVic (Times Colonist piece), whom he says is suffering a human rights violation: Peter Verin, the person who we are working with, calls himself an eco-philosopher and a salvager.  He chooses not to have a fixed abode and had until fairly recently maintained a continuing presence on the UVic campus for more than 20 years as an intellectual support to students. Peter is suing the University of Victoria, because in their gentrification  drive 5 to 10 years ago he was assaulted by campus security staff, who allege that he was a nuisance and a health risk with his salvaging.  The university counter-sued for trespass and sought an injunction to ban him from major sites on campus.  The BC Supreme Court granted this pending the outcome of the trial.  Peter obtained counsel for this action, but the lawyer was unable to continue, as she was moving to Vancouver.  He has been unable to find and obtain new counsel. Peter requires paralegal help in pursuing this suit, with completing documentation, affidavits, in preparation for trial.  He is also worried that the University (Counsel Michael Mark) will raise the issue of timely action, and Peter would like some help in researching the issue of limitations of these actions. He is also concerned that the SUB management violated a mediation agreement that allowed him to continue salvaging in the SUB building.  He is concerned about the connection between the University, facilities planning management, campus security and the Student Society. We believe that Peter's situation represents a violation of Human Rights and we believe that he has been harassed because of his visibility, political stance and support from students as he challenges the status quo on campus. David approached the Law Centre but was told it would be a conflict of interest for them to become involved as they are funded by UVic and Mr Verin is suing UVic. You can follow up by emailing Professor David Turner. This was sent out tot he club last year and David has gotten back in touch with us recently.
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