Vancouver – A mural that a Vancouver Fire Department spokesperson said was removed because it was “inappropriate,” “definitely not acceptable,” and left the Chief of the Fire department “a little red in the face,” has been reinstalled at Firehall #2 in Vancouver. The mural depicts the Firehall’s mascot as death with a syringe as a scythe, and calls the Downtown Eastside, the community served by the fire hall the “skids.”
The mural was removed February 17, 2010, at the beginning of the Olympic period after it was drawn to the VFD’s attention by investigative journalist Sean Holman. Holman recorded the quotes about the mural from VFD spokesperson Steve Laleune. The mural was observed re-installed on April 1, 2010.
“Firefighters are community leaders. We expect them to show strength and compassion. Putting this mural back up does neither. It was a mistake to do so. The Fire Department should take it down again and keep it down this time.” said Robert Holmes, President of the BCCLA. “It would be beneficial, no doubt, for the fire department to investigate whose idea it was to put the mural back up. Those involved should show the community they serve that they understand how such insensitivity breeds distrust. We also call for there to be an inquest or inquiry into the death of Curtis Brick. It is time that questions about how he was treated get answered.”
Community groups say the mural’s reinstallation represents systemic issues within the VFD that give credence to allegations surrounding the death of Curtis Brick last summer and have renewed their calls for a coroner’s inquest into his death. Brick was an aboriginal man and was homeless and a chronic alcoholic. Witnesses allege that the VFD acted callously and carelessly in responding to a call for assistance for Brick who died of exposure.
“This picture, and its reinstallation, hardly reassures the Native community that the VFD seeks to treat the marginalized people they work with, including the Native community, with respect,” said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, who noted that the Downtown Eastside is Canada’s largest off-reserve aboriginal community. “Depicting their mascot as the Angel of Death does very little to instill any sense of confidence in the professional integrity of the Downtown Eastside’s Fire Hall #2.”
“The issues here are even more serious than we thought if our Fire Chief is allowing the reinstallation of this mural that his own department called inappropriate and that apparently embarrassed him,” said David Dennis, President of the Frank Paul Society. “We need a coroner’s inquest to know how the fire department sees aboriginal men with addictions, and how that perception affected Mr. Brick’s treatment.”
See Sean Holman’s original story here >>
MEDIA CONTACTS
Stewart Phillip, Grand Chief, UBCIC – (250) 490-5314
Robert Holmes, President, BCCLA – (604) 681-1310
David Eby, Executive Director, BCCLA – (778) 865-7997
David Dennis, President, Frank Paul Society – (604) 251-4171
