Activists protest suspension of constitutional rights for Olympics

Council of Canadians launches Olympic sign campaign.

The Council of Canadians launched a new campaign today by staking signs on the lawn of City Hall to denounce Coca Cola, a worldwide sponsor of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The signs have been released while concerns remain about the suppression of free speech and the right to protest following the City of Vancouver’s recent removal of an anti-Olympic mural and the approval of bylaws that do not allow city licenses for Olympic signs that aren’t “celebratory”.

“While we respect and admire the Olympic athletes we are encouraging an open and frank public discussion on the impact of the Games both as they are taking place and over the long term,” said Bob Ages, National Board Member of the Council of Canadians. “Our concerns go beyond the threats to civil liberties. As the future of the planet hangs in the balance in Copenhagen we hope Canadians will be inspired to think about the Olympic Games within the bigger picture.” [Read more]

Bill 13 suspends civil rights for the Olympics

Liberal bill restricting free speech during Olympics contravenes Charter of Rights.

BC Conservative Party President, Wayne McGrath, says Bill 13, an amendment to the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act, would strip residents of Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond of their Section 2 Charter rights to freedom of speech and assembly.

“The Liberal government is more concerned about the Olympics running without dissent than protecting the basic rights of citizens in this Province”, charged McGrath.

The Bill Amendment, introduced on October 7, 2009, in the Legislature, would grant special powers to municipal officers to enter private property and seize signs not compliant with the so called “spirit” of the Olympic Games, as follows: [Read more]

Olympic industry greenwashing concerns activists

Statement on the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

The Council of Canadians, one of Canada’s largest public advocacy organizations, with members and chapters across the country, views positively the Olympic goal of friendly international competition between athletes who excel in their respective sports. We understand and appreciate the pleasure and enjoyment so many around the world share in the spectacle and achievements of the Olympic Games.

However, we are gravely concerned by the increasing evidence that these worthy aspects are being overwhelmed, if not totally supplanted, by an “Olympic industry” focused on real estate development and massive corporate marketing opportunities. An “Olympic industry” founded and based in undemocratic and unaccountable national and international structures, implicated in numerous corruption scandals that undermine everything a truly noble Olympic movement should stand for. [Read more]

Wi-fi in schools continues to evoke protest

People worried about the dangers of wireless Internet now have a new concern. Reports are surfacing that some Internet service providers in the United States will be discontinuing dial-up access, creating a dilemma for those who have continued to use a wired connection in order to avoid exposure to wireless.

Numerous people report feeling unwell around wi-fi and wireless networks. Others are just wary because, as with cell phones, they have heard that wireless is thought by some to be unsafe. [Read more]