The worst of these was their "leader" who frequently used a megaphone and engaged in a number of stalking, intimidating and threatening behaviours.
This is one of them.
In this photo, he is standing directly in front of one of the meeting room windows, where security is set up. He would continue to wander around the building, using the megaphone, oftening targeting people by name. On June 13, this photo was posted with these comments.
AUPE employee D___ M___ using megaphone and bull horn throughout the day June 10 and 11, causing psychological and physical trauma for people in the Neighborhood. This was the outcome AUPE was intending
This behaviour is apparently quite all right with AUPE.
AUPE President Guy Smith at Artspace while bull horn and megaphone are being used... His presence indicates he condones, ( directs) these leverage tactics. This from a man who was a youth worker?AUPE's response?
They knew full well that this behaviour was causing harm, because they were told. As posted online, June 13:
The noise level yesterday caused huge psychological stress and physical problems for many living at Artspace. I myself was traumatized by the bull horn, megaphone and shouting...which of course was the AUPE goal. I was there visiting a friend. on the AUPE Facebook page....this AUPE response... What do you think of this?
There are a number of problems with AUPE's response.
First, equating Artspace with a seniors residence. We are private homes, not a facility. Second, that they admit they actually engage in this behaviour around seniors, and that it's normal.
Saying, "So far no complaints have resulted in bylaw enforcement regarding noise" is of concern. First, they are acknowledging that complaints have been made and second, admitting that the police aren't doing anything about it.
Here is another example of what the former "leader" of the AUPE picketers would do. Set himself up facing the front doors of the high rise, watching the lobby.
The planter box next to him is exactly 4 feet wide, plus there is about 6 -8 inches between it and the sidewalk, so he's just skirting the edge of the 4 ft easement rule do do this.
He would then sit there for hours, watching us in our private spaces. Sometimes calling out or using the megaphone. This behaviour earned him nicknames such as Creepy Stalker Dude, Creeper, Captain McCreepypants and, after he was seen pissing on the sidewalk, The Urinator. Before then, he was just Red Toque Guy.
AUPE negotiator, Kevin Davediuk, was also fully aware of what was going on.
The use of the megaphone, as well as an air raid siren at least once (the police finally stepped in on that one), has caused incredible pain to our members.
It's not just the humans living in Artspace that are affected, but our animals as well. Many of our members have companion animals. These pets have significant health benefits for our members.
They have been targeted, too.
One member, unable to write out documentation of events, gave audio documentation. In one incident, she describes taking her dog out for a walk. With the picketers on the sidewalk between the front entrance and the pee patch, she was forced to wheel the other way.
The guy with the megaphone was there and, as her dog was walking along, he took the megaphone to the dog's head and blared a horn/siren sound effect at her.
The dog, understandably, was terrorised. Afraid to walk anymore, her owner brought her onto her lap and tried to take her where the dog could relieve herself.
He used the megaphone on the dog's head, two more times, while she was in her owners lap.
It's bad enough for AUPE picketers to terrorise our members, but to target dogs, too, is despicable.
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