Woman dies at Occupy Vancouver site

November 6, 2011

AP – 1 hr 43 mins ago.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — A woman at the Occupy Vancouver camp died

Saturday after being discovered in an " unresponsive " condition, police say. A

Canadian protest organizer said it appeared to be due to a drug overdose.

The cause of death has not been determined but there is no evidence to indicate

foul play, police said.

The woman in her 20s was found in a tent by another protester. Paramedics took

her to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, Vancouver police said in a

statement.

Gill, an organizer at the camp, said the woman apparently died of a drug

overdose.

She said the death highlights the need for more addiction services because drugs

are such a big issue in the city.

Gill, who is running as an independent in this month's city elections, said that

as an outreach worker in mental health and addiction services, she has seen far

too many overdose deaths.

On Saturday, tensions seem to be growing at the site, where one television

camera operator was knocked to the ground and some protesters began hassling

reporters.

Fire Chief McKearney ordered protesters to remove large tarps and take down

tents after emergency personnel had difficulty getting accessing the site

Thursday to help someone who suffered a non-fatal drug overdose.

The protesters initially rejected McKearney's concerns about safety, but removed

some tarps.

Mayor Gregor on has said he wants the Occupy protesters to leave the

site, but hasn't threatened to force them out or set any deadlines.

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