The Prince George Courthouse was a shocking sight this morning.
Hundreds of red handprints covered the front steps and in large letters, “Wake up, we are dying,” was painted at the entrance.
MyPGNow has spoken to a person from the advocacy group responsible for the painting of the courthouse, who wished to remain anonymous.
They said the action they took was to raise awareness of the National Day of Action On the Overdose Crisis.
“It was to shock. It was to get people listening and remind people that this isn’t slowing down, it’s not changing. We want to government to take some action. Their lives are on the line.”
They are a part of a number of advocacy groups pleading the federal and provincial governments to change drug laws in order to prevent overdose deaths in Canada. They are also the parent of a heroin user who died from a fentanyl overdose while in recovery.
According to them, the group used washable paints on the steps, however, Cpl. Craig Douglass of the Prince George RCMP said the initial report reads that they did not.
“We only got it this morning, it’s very new in the investigation process. My understanding is that the paint that defaced the property is not water soluble, not washable. It’s up to the investigator to determine whether or not that’s the case or whether or not they had permission to that and obviously first find out who did it.”
He said they are investigating the incident as Mischief, and said council had to decide if charges would be laid against those who were involved.
The member of the group involved said they didn’t think the action they took was that extreme in comparison to the crisis at hand, and mentioned the 46 people who died in Prince George last year from fentanyl use.
“How many more people have to die?”
“I don’t think we went that far at all, we put some handprints in washable paint and everybody is going into a frenzy. Is it because it’s red paint? I understand but I don’t understand,” they said.
“We keep on putting it out there that we need to change some policies and regulations around people who use drugs, but nobody is listening. There needs to be more. We need to move more towards a solution. Every day people are dying.”
A rally is being held at the courthouse this evening for the national day.