Strong

There have been some notable changes in picketer behaviour in the past few days.  Mostly in their efforts to pretend that this is, and always has been, a "peaceful" picket line as they continue to lay siege on our home.  One type of behaviour to the public, another they try to hide.  Not very well.

The security vehicle with the replacement workers continues to be blocked for excessive lengths of time (courts have found anything more than 4 minutes as excessive, and that applies to all vehicles, including company trucks, suppliers’ vehicles, contractors’ vehicles, employee cars or buses).  Yesterday, they were blocked for 30 or 40 minutes at a time - except when the police were here, and suddenly they blocked the vehicle for "only" 15 minutes.

Which still resulted in at least one of our members trapped in bed and hungry, because the care workers who were to help him transfer out of bed and eat breakfast where themselves trapped in a vehicle, surrounded by hostile AUPE picketers.

Watching the activity among our invaders has been curious, indeed.  Especially as more public attention is being focused on them.  The illegal block party/political rally they held on our street was an obvious response to our own silent vigil to commemorate 100 days of the siege.  I guess they realised they missed something there, because suddenly they themselves were focusing on the 100 day theme.  It's like when we'd post here about witnessing racism from the picketers directed at our security guards, then suddenly there were accusations of racism from Artspace members towards the picketers.  We'd point out their bullying behaviour, and suddenly we were being portrayed as bullies.  We'd point out their threatening behaviour and harassment of members, and they'd turn around and accuse us of what they, themselves, were doing.

Perhaps most ridiculous of all is their response to our own signs and comments of "Artspace Strong." Suddenly, there's a bunch of their own signs with "100 days" and some variation of being strong themselves.  Because it's just sooooooo empowering and uplifting to get paid to lay siege to a community.

This rather takes the cake, though.

"Nothing can beat the union power."

Sounds like a threat, really.  After all, "union power" is a multi-million dollar organisation harassing and intimidating people in their homes and trying to crush a small, volunteer run, consumer driven in-house care company that only a handful use.  A company funded entirely by AHS, and a co-op that's designed to provide affordable housing with a focus on independent living for the disabled.

You know.  These guys.

That's it, AUPE!  Crush those nasty, bullying union-busters!

"Union power" against the vulnerable!

"Union power" against the marginalised!

"Union power" against the disabled, the elderly and children!

"Union power" against non-profits!

"Union power" against a group of people who have fought their entire lives to be able to live independently and control their own lives and care.

"Union power" against a non-profit care model that has allowed people to do things like hold jobs or volunteer in the community, rather than be hidden away in institutions.

"Union power" against people who have fought discrimination, neglect and oppression all their lives.

"Union power" against those who fight just to live normal lives in ways the able-bodied take for granted.

What a great example of "union power."

The picketers wear signs about "dignity" and "respect."

The ones who have shown the most dignity are the Artspace members who have stood up to AUPE's oppression for more than 100 days.

The ones who have earned respect are the people of Artspace.

Not the ones who spend their days outside, paid to harass, intimidate and threaten them.

Strong are the ones who maintain their dignity as they face an gauntlet of picketers, hurling verbal abuse at them, day after day.

Artspace Strong.

Strong are the ones who hold their neighbours as they cry and shake and throw up, while AUPE holds an illegal block party outside our homes.

Artspace Strong.

Strong are the ones, trapped in their bed, going hungry, because the real care workers are held hostage in the parking lot driveway.

Artspace Strong.

Strong are the ones who find themselves having to take more and more pain medication, just to make it through the day, and do so with a dignity the picketers could never match.

Artspace Strong.

The picketers being paid to hold us hostage in our homes, leaving us unable to go onto our balconies, look out of our windows or walk our dogs without enduring harassement, provokation and intimidation, do not know what strength or dignity truly is.

They are bullies.  They are cowards.  They are abusers of the weak.

And they are doing it all for money.