VERDICT IN - HAS JUSTICE PREVAILED ?

Statement from Jamie Lee Hamilton

VERDICT IN - HAS JUSTICE PREVAILED?
Low-Track Killing Fields Remain Ripe for Harm


As everyone knows the verdict is in regarding the trial of Mr. Pickton. As expected there is a media circus and as anticipated, raw emotions are being expressed and unfortunate comments in the process are being made. And the displays I have personally witnessed on the news coverage, made me turn my television set off.

To frame this horrendous issue of missing and murdered sex trade workers-- most of whom struggled to survive on the mean streets of the Downtown Eastside/Oldtown area-- we must continue to talk about how as a society we collectively share blame, the impacts and harm that befell the numerous Pickton victims and all other women and men who remain alone, unprotected on the dark deserted streets of the isolated industrial area.

We must not shy away from this glaring fact. The low-track killing fields remain ripe and easy pickings for the ilk of those like Mr. Pickton.

What kind of a society produces the likes of a Willie Pickton and others of his ilk and this is a question that should remain on everyone's conscience.

Today though is a day that we struggle to remain connected as a society and this huge blight on Vancouver's reputation must bring us closer together to eradicate violence.

We must push aside blame and work to find solutions to the conditions which lead women and men to engage in survival sex. Further, we must come to grips on how we protect those involved in the sex trade.

My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all citizens of society as we all share in the nightmare which has played out before us. I know the Pickton case and the unsolved missing and murdered sex trade workers affects us all.

Justice will only come when we act to erase poverty, homelessness, child and youth exploitation, abuse, hate and oppression.

Jamie Lee Hamilton
tricia_foxx@yahoo.com