On Sunday, October 26, you can get involved in a good cause while getting in the Halloween spirit. A zombie walk is taking place on West 4th Avenue to protest the closing of the Pine Free Clinic.
The BC government is refusing to provide funding for this free youth medical clinical, which provides not only basic health care for youth and young adults, but also mental health care, addiction treatment, and birth control services. The clinic is scheduled to close on October 31st, making this Halloween-themed protest the perfect fit.
Many groups have been fighting this closure since it was first announced, and some progress is starting to take place. The Ombudsperson has opened a file to investigate allegations that the misleading advertising of the closure led to confusion about whether the clinic would stay open. The Representative for Children and Youth has also begun an investigation into why youth and young adults attending Pine Free Clinic have not been offered consultations upon closure.
While this progress is encouraging, more support from the public is needed to keep up the momentum and put pressure on the Minister of Health and VCH. The zombie walk is a creative call to bring the youth clinic back from the dead.
To participate, meet outside Pine Free Clinic, located at West 4th Avenue and Maple Street, at 1pm on Sunday, October 26. Costumes for the zombie walk are encouraged, but not necessary to have your opinion heard in this important rally dedicated to supporting youth health care in our neighbourhood.
Last modified: October 22, 2014
