A Penticton resident is hoping a sit-in tomorrow will draw attention to what she feels is the city鈥檚 unfair way of addressing loitering downtown this summer with a $100 fine.
Chelsea Terry created the from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Facebook calling on residents who disagree with the city鈥檚 plan to come out and protest it.
鈥淚t鈥檚 time we sent a message to council about their precious tourist season. I鈥檓 tired of feeling like the people who live here for all twelve months of the year get no say in anything,鈥� reads the event page.
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鈥淚t鈥檚 basically an unfair bylaw that targets the homeless people directly. They are clearly not going to be targeting kids at the parade or anything like that,鈥� Terry said.
On May 21, city councillors voted 5-2 to amend the Good Neighbourhood Bylaw to include sitting or lying down on the sidewalk as an obstruction to businesses located in about a dozen streets on Ellis, Main and Martin streets.
These changes to the bylaw will only be in effect from May 1 to Sept. 30
Terry also feels that the amended bylaw provides a loose interpretation of what an obstruction. She thinks it could be abused.
Those who attend are also encouraged to donate to Monday Night Dinner, which is a group that offers Monday night dinners to those in need. The group was recently told by the city it would have to move from Nanaimo Square.
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Terry suggests people bringing socks, bottled water, sunblock, wet wipes, canned goods, dried goods, grocery cards and coffee cards to donate.
鈥淏ring a blanket, bring a pillow. Let鈥檚 get cozy on their precious sidewalks and support those that need it most.鈥�
