The organizer of a meeting called by a group of tent-city neighbours says the venue has cancelled the Thursday-night gathering, citing a large number of phone and email threats.
Stephen Hammond, who had planned the meeting at HarbourTowers Hotel on Quebec Street for the group calling itself Mad As Hell, said the hotel told him it was concerned about the safety of guests and staff if the meeting went ahead.
“I don’t blame the hotel,” said Hammond, adding he was in the process of organizing security for the event when he was told about the decision. “Thugs and criminals are ruling the day in Victoria.”
He said he has contacted Victoria’s city manager and Mayor Lisa Helps asking for help finding another venue. “Our desire is to still have this meeting.”
Hammond, who lives a block and a half from the tent city on the Victoria courthouse grounds, said neighbours have had to deal with everything from break-ins to being threatened with guns and knives since the campers moved in.
