BURST
Organizers of the African Descent Festival say they feel disappointed by Vancouver officials who hit them with hefty policing fees — charges they claim were meant to block their event.
But city officials insist the festival failed to meet safety and planning requirements.
The vibrant celebration of Black culture, held annually since 2015, was abruptly shut down Friday morning as police moved in to disperse attendees. Barricades remain at English Bay Beach, where the weekend festival was scheduled for Aug. 9 to 10.
“I was shocked when I arrived,” said Yasin Kiraga Misago, executive director of the African Descent Society B.C., which operates the festival. “Almost 100 police officers with heavy weapons surrounded me, and park rangers all around the beach.”
In a statement Friday, the Vancouver park board said the festival was halted because it had not resolved “outstanding issues from previous events” in time to receive an event permit. It did not specify the safety or operational concerns, but said it had offered alternatives, including relocating to Thornton Park or postponing the event, options it says that “were declined by organizers.”
But Kiraga Misago said the issue comes down to money.
He said the society faced unexpected police security bills of about $45,000 for the 2023 and 2024 English Bay festivals — charges he says were never clearly communicated. Kiraga Misago said he was told by the park board that the festival could only move forward once these outstanding fees were paid. Despite making two payments of more than $11,000, the event’s permit was denied.
“It’s happened in the past where the city has given us a permit last minute on the day of. I assumed that’s what was going to happen this year,” the organizer said.
On Aug. 1, park board general manager Steve Jackson sent a letter confirming the permit denial, warning Kiraga Misago that if the society attempted to proceed with the African Descent Festival at English Bay without a permit, it would violate municipal bylaws, could face legal action and would be billed for city costs.
“This is a significant risk. We encourage you to consult with your insurer to ensure that you will have appropriate and valid insurance coverage in the circumstance,” it reads.
Kiraga Misago believes the fees were set up as a barrier to keep the event out of English Bay, a site with deep historical significance to Vancouver’s Black community.
“It is too much money,” he said. “I feel like it’s a scam.”
Kiraga Misago says the society has now lost roughly $500,000 in planning expenses, including production costs, musician bookings, and stage equipment. More than 100 vendors had registered, and an additional 30 security officers were planned.
The festival, free and open to the public, typically draws more than 45,000 people each year.
“If they remove the barricades and allow us to set up the stage, we would love to continue the festival,” the organizer said Friday.
“We are here to celebrate the legacy of the African community’s contribution here in Vancouver.”