Victoria Independent Media Center
Critical Mass: Down With Gas
Last Updated (Sunday, 28 February 2010 04:02) Written by lucho Sunday, 28 February 2010 03:06
Cyclists gathered friday to demonstrate their power in traffic and to protest the incredible social and environmental destruction caused by cars. Cars are one of the worlds largest producers of greenhouse gasses, and play a big part in our global addiction to oil, an addiction that causes nations to kill and wage war upon each other throughout the world. Many anthropologists including prominent urban psychologist Jane Jacobs also blame the automobile for creating urban sprawl and the alienation that has destroyed community life. But some people here in Victoria have had enough. With numbers of no more that 20-30, the critical mass bike ride was able to block off major traffic routs throughout the capital including both the Bay St and Johnson St bridges.
Police Crack Down on Activists as Olympics Continue
Last Updated (Sunday, 28 February 2010 04:03) Written by Administrator Tuesday, 16 February 2010 22:28
Police have been targeting activists by seizing property, issuing tickets and making arrests using the flimsiest of excuses. Local police assisted by the ISU and Canadian Border Services made a series of repressive arrests starting Friday, when a march from the Vancouver Art Gallery saw three people arrested, and one charged with assault from this completely peaceful protest. The next day, 13 were arrested during a demonstration, three held overnight, and another US citizen may face deportation. As usual, mainstream media made a big story about the "violent nature" of the protest where a few windows were smashed, and mentioned nothing of the destruction to the environment caused by the games.
Ed Durgen, a student at UBC and one of the organizers behinds the student anti-torch action, was taken away in cuffs from East Hastings. His belongings were searched and some possessions seized, including a working copy of his dissertation.
Most disturbing is the sweep of arrests that have taken place in the days following the large street protests of Friday & Saturday. Activists and independent media have been harassed in the streets, some given tickets for petty offenses such as swearing in public, and one journalist volunteering with the the Vancouver Media Co-op was detained at the border and questioned by the FBI as he returned home. On Sunday two more arrests were reported, one person was released without conditions or charges, while another was held overnight and charged with assault relating to a spitting incident. On Monday ORN member Guillaume was arrested, held, and has since been released with conditions that he is not to organize protest marches. He now faces a charge of "counseling mischief", that more resembles an Orwellian thought crime, than a serious offense.
Monday marked the launch of a tentcity in the Downtown East Side located on a lot rented by the Vancouver Olympic Committee. The action organized by DTES residents calls attention to the need for more affordable housing, but city officials have stated clearly that it is completely illegal to occupy land for this reason. Anti-poverty activists and the The BC Civil Liberties Association are are concerned that peoples righs may not be respected amongst this marginalized group.
Report From Two Days of the Anti Olympic Convergence
Last Updated (Wednesday, 17 February 2010 00:44) Written by Administrator Friday, 12 February 2010 22:47
Radical demonstrators filled the streets to hit back directly at the institutions of systemic injustice. Streets were blocked by activists, and several businesses, including Olympic sponsor HBC were attacked.
Vancouver Peoples Summit
Last Updated (Friday, 12 February 2010 22:47) Written by ORN Thursday, 11 February 2010 23:58
Building a Movement
The 2010 Peoples Summit wrapped up today after two days of workshops and presentations, building up to the Vancouver Anti-Olympic Convergence. Presenters spoke on an array of topics including legal rights, street medic training, movement building and Native land issues. First Nations people from Cree territory spoke about the total environmental devastation of the Alberta tar-sands, the disruption of migratory routs and the effects that these mega-progects have on local water tables. There were also speakers from the Six Nations land reclamation movement, who spoke of worrier land defenders that are organizing using traditional pre-european customs. Years of negotiation between the federation of chiefs and the provincial government in the Canadian court system have resolved few land disputes because they fail to recognizes the values of indigenous people and in fact are built to undermine the sovereignty of first nations communities.
ORN organizers say that the anti-olympic movement has already been successful at raising awareness of poverty and other issues especially native land rights, as well as bringing people together. There are multiple groups participating in the coming convergence over the next couple of days, the ORN respects diversity of tactics, and warns VANOC that the resistance is coming, it's united, and it's going to be very difficult to ignore.
Report From The Poverty Olympics
Last Updated (Friday, 12 February 2010 00:12) Written by ORN Monday, 08 February 2010 05:45
The third annual Poverty Olympic Torch arrived in vancouver today six days ahead of the opening of the winter games. The torch bearers were accompanied by the three poverty olympic mascots itchy, creepy and chewy, a marching band and a group of hundreds of concerned citizens and community groups who oppose the 2010 Winter Games. Organizers say that public dollars could be more justly spent on ending poverty and homelessness, and the annual event is meant to highlight this.
Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. And the province of British Columbia (BC) is among its most prosperous regions. But some people are being left behind.
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