WHAT: While FIFA officials meet behind closed doors at the Vancouver Convention Centre, four community members — including workers and unhoused residents — will speak publicly about the human cost of hosting the World Cup and demand accountability from FIFA leadership. Statements will be followed by media Q&A.
WHO: A coalition of anti-gentrification, human and workers’ rights, and anti-displacement organizations — including Pivot Legal Society, BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU), Carnegie Housing Project (CHP), and BC Poverty Reduction Coalition — alongside unhoused residents and workers from Vancouver who have directly experienced the impacts of FIFA’s presence in the city.
WHEN: Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 4:15 p.m. PDT
WHERE: Outside Canada Place, west side of the plaza (link has approximate location pinned)
BCCLA will not be present at this press conference.
Background:
- Previous coalition press releases can be found here.
- Links here to the failed Vancouver City Council motions regarding FIFA:
- February 25 2026 motion on increased civil engagement related to FIFA
- April 1 2026 motion on strengthening Vancouver Human Rights Action Plan
- April 22 2026 motion for easing bylaws around vehicle sheltering during FIFA
- Etiquette for reporting in the DTES
- Shift Happens – a media guide for reporting on the DTES – https://j-source.ca/shift-happens-a-media-guide-for-journalists-covering-the-downtown-eastside/
- Empowerment Journalism Guide – https://globalreportingcentre.org/empowerment-guide/
How to do ethical and community-based research – https://dtesresearchaccess.ubc.ca/resources
-30-