The Law, in its Majestic Equality…
 All Photos: Pete Rockwell Nov. 24 2009
At 3 PM David Johnston set a tent up in Centennial Square.
By 3:30 He’d been carted off in a paddy wagon, arrested by the Victoria Police .
The charge, to me at least, is unclear. On the one hand Johnston had violated court ordered conditions stemming from an earlier tenting arrest. On the other hand he was violating the current city bylaw (currently under judicial review) which prohibits erecting shelters on city property between the hours of 7 AM and 7 PM.
(editor’s note: the next day, Johnston was sentenced to 45 days in jail.)
 
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 Nov. 15 2009
At 3pm, a group of students set tents up in Centennial Square. They were bringing attention to the issue of potential sprawl stretching from Sooke to Port Renfrew. Police came and went. No arrests were made.
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 Feb. 9 2009
David Johnston and David Shebib set up a cardboard structure in Centennial Square, to bring attention to the City’s enforcement of (possibly unconstitutional ) bylaws prohibiting homeless people from sheltering themselves during daylight hours. They were both arrested.
 
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 Dec. 9 2008
Kristen Woodruff set up a tent in Centennial Square to bring attention to the aforementioned bylaws. She was arrested.
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 Nov. 28 2008
Tavis Dodds was one of several people who set up tents in Centennial Square to bring attention to the aforementioned bylaws. He was arrested.
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In all five instances, people set up tents in Centennial Square to engage in peaceful protest for legitimate causes. Apparently, if you are middle class students, you don’t get arrested. If you live on the street or support people living on the street, you do.
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