Stan Douglas

As a Canadian, I am ashamed to say that my knowledge of Canadian history is shallow. In my defense, I have only lived in Vancouver for 10 years. Take, for instance, Downtown East Side (DTES). It is one of Vancouver’s oldest neighbourhoods and the historic heart of the city. The City hall, the courthouse, Woodward’s department store and the Carnegie Library were all located here in the 60’s. I have been told the scene then was vibrant and full of hubbub. However, as the city centre moved westward in the 70’s, the area quickly became the ugly side of Vancouver, fueled by drugs, crime and sex. This bleak scene of DTES is the one that I have only ever known.

Similarly, the only scene of Gastown that I know of is the one that stands today - a culmination of tourists, design furniture, artists, independent clothing boutiques and a bustling night life. But Gastown has a darker history: Gastown Riots, also known as “Battle of Maple Tree Square”.

Following weeks of arrests by undercover agents in Vancouver as part of a special police operation, the police finally attacked a protest demonstration in Gastown, on August 7th, 1971, against the use of undercover agents and in favour of the legalization of marijuana. Of around one thousand protesters, 79 were arrested and 38 were charged. However, the police were accused of heavy-handed tactics including indiscriminate beatings with their newly-issued riot batons. They also used, for the first time, horse-backed charges on crowds of onlookers and tourists.

This image by Stan Douglas captures the protest and retaliation:

It is a stark contrast to the Gastown today. Of this piece, Douglas says, “This is a public work of art and I am not interested in making portraits of great men or great moments in history… I’m interested in small moments that had the possibility of making change that was not fully realized. This is one of those moments, and I’m hoping it will help people to remember. Because in certain respects, this is a moment that has been forgotten.”

The photograph will be produced in its original size (9 by 15 metres) and installed in June in the atrium of the redeveloped Woodward’s building in DTES.

More information about Gastown Riots can be obtained at Canada’s Rights Movement.