VANCOUVER - Delegates at an international sports conference in England have denounced the tactics of the RCMP-led Vancouver Olympic security force.
The Coventry Declaration was issued Friday at the end of the sixth Play the Game conference at Coventry University. It condemns "any action in Canada that in any way, shape or form harasses, intimidates or threatens any writers or individuals who express ideas through words."
The declaration proposed by Toronto journalist Laura Robinson was in reaction to a June 3 incident involving Chris Shaw, author of the Five Ring Circus: Myths and Realities of the Olympic Games.
Shaw, an ophthalmologist, was approached by two plainclothes police officers from the Joint Intelligence Group of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit near his Vancouver laboratory. He declined their request for a private meeting to talk about opposition to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Fourteen other members of the Olympic Resistance Network said they were either visited at their homes or near their workplaces by plainclothes officers on June 3 or 4.
Shaw, who spoke at Play the Game, claimed he was detained by United Kingdom customs officers when he arrived in the country for the conference.
The declaration also asks the governments of Canada, British Columbia and Vancouver, along with V2010 ISU and the Vancouver Olympic organizing committee, to "state in unequivocal language" that they will protect and respect security of the person and freedom of expression for all Canadians and visitors.
VANOC vice-president of communications Renee Smith-Valade declined comment.
V2010 ISU Sgt. Mike Cote said the Coventry Declaration corresponds with the Olympic security force's guiding principles: "Very Canadian, subtle yet prepared and it will be in line with Canadian laws and values."
"V2010 ISU is committed to and will continue to uphold and respect individuals Charter rights in accordance with Canadian laws all the while ensuring safe and secure Winter Games for Canadians and visitors to Canada," he said in an emailed statement.
Bob Mackin reports for Vancouver 24 hours.
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DPL
2 years ago
Anyone remember Sgt. Petter
Anyone remember Sgt. Petter doing his thing at UBC when some activists protested a APEC conference? He was realy quick with the large container of pepper spray.He acted like a crazed goon. The security costs of this circus went from somewhat over 100 millions to maybe 1 billion.It seems private security companies will cost around 100 millions. F18's patrolling over Vancouver and the list goes on. Rent three cruise ships for the security forces to live in during the big circus. Is anyone in charge? I rather doubt it. I was allowed access to a Commonweath Conference in Vancouver years ago and saw the RCMP guys and the Vancouver city cops at each others throats over something as simple as a couple of speed bumps under the center. There is no way on earth I or any of my family will be hanging around those overpriced events. The only input we will have, is to pay part of the overrun costs.
BC, The Best Place on Earth if you have lots of cash and to heck with everyone else.
Dungeness_Crab
2 years ago
I can only hope
that the dialogue which springs up around the police-state mentality surrounding all Olympics can encourage a broader understanding. As in 1932 as it is today, this is about control of the masses. Bread and circuses, to distract the populace from the rapine within.
I'm not optimistic.