Two anti-Olympics critics want to take Vancouver to court over a contentious bylaw package approved last July.
The temporary Games-time measures passed by city council violate Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Five Ring Circus author Chris Shaw and Olympics Resistance Network member Alissa Westergard-Thorpe will argue.
“The Restrictive Provisions deny and are an infringement and an anticipatory infringement of the right to free expression,” reads a statement of claim filed today in B.C. Supreme Court. “[They] cannot be justified in a free and democratic society.”
The lawsuit is being lauded by the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, which has long argued the bylaws amount to a civil rights clampdown.
Last July, council passed a series of restrictions that will limit unauthorized commercial activity around venues, pedestrian corridors and other Olympics-related areas.
Sponsors pay a lot of money to promote their companies through the Games, and their rights need to protected, VANOC has argued.
Today’s court filing takes aim at certain parts of the bylaw package. Section 104 prohibits “advertising matter” such as pamphlets or handbills in Olympics areas.
A person can’t erect a sign in these places unless it’s “a celebratory sign or wayfaring sign authorized by VANOC or the city,” the section reads.
Violations of the bylaws could result in fines up to $2,000.
During the Games, Shaw intends to distribute information that will help boost sales of his book, according to his statement. The book is highly critical of the Olympics.
Vision Vancouver councillor Geoff Meggs said the bylaws were developed in conjunction with the city’s legal staff.
“We’re confident they’ll withstand the test,” he said. “But we welcome the challenge.”
Meggs applauded Shaw, Westergard-Thorpe and the BCCLA for their passion as civil rights watchdogs. He said it’s up to the courts to decide what happens next.
“If the court feels changes are necessary then obviously we’ll make them,” Meggs said.
Geoff Dembicki reports for The Tyee.
Go for it I say
I support free speech!
Citizens duty to have a critical eye I say!
I hope they win but will it
I hope they win but will it be heard by the games or be 'delayed' until after? I would bet delayed..Canada is fast becoming a police state.
site from the Washington Post
Check out this site from the Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/01/AR2009100103891.html
Geoff Meggs
You're an embarrassment to the city and to civil discourse in the country. You should be ashamed of yourself. My father would have slapped me silly had I tried to tell someone what he could think or say. Where the hell was your daddy?
(On the other hand, it's pretty much what I expected from the party with no election platform, anointed as the ruling party by Canvas Goebbels rags. I think my fellow Vancouverites are the gullible fools...)
Dr. Shaw a Hero
Chris Shaw is a modern day hero. We have a number in BC, and Dr. Shaw is one of them (I place David Beers and the Tyee in that category as well BTW).
Chris Shaw has courageously stood up for a fundamental principle (freedom of speech)and in doing so, has suffered personally. For that, we owe him.
There should be a fund to support him, a forum for recognizing his work, and future expressions of support and admiration.
If we don't support BC heros, we will one day regret it.
Great coverage.