A local 2010 Games activist called security tactics “shocking” after a six hour interrogation at the U.S. border yesterday.
“We must be doing something right if we are facing these increasing levels of reaction,” Olympics Resistance Network member Marla Renn told the Tyee.
The Vancouver-based activist was en route to Portland to give a speech critical of the Games. By Renn's own account, U.S. guards refused to let her cross the border. They cited her lack of employment. She finished school three months ago, and doesn’t have a job.
Renn claimed she was photographed, fingerprinted and searched. Guards went through her cell phone. She was grilled by Canadian and American officials about her anti-Olympics activism and contacts in the U.S. The interrogation lasted hours, Renn said.
“It suggests to me that there’s an effort that’s being put in to create obstacles for anti-Olympic activists to coordinate with each other across the border,” she said.
This is second time in the past few months Renn was denied access to the U.S. In October, she and activist Gord Hill were barred on their way to an Olympics talk in Seattle. They were carrying merchandise without the proper documents.
At the time, a spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection said Canada and the U.S. share security intelligence all the time.
“We do that on an ongoing basis,” Mike Milne said. “It certainly would be applicable during the Games as well.”
American border officials ultimately decide who gets into the country. But Canadian authorities could warn them about potential security threats.
“There are a number of people on any daily basis that are flagged,” Milne said.
Renn’s refusal at the border yesterday is the latest in a recent outburst of Olympics controversy.
News of U.S. journalist Amy Goodman’s grilling by Canadian border guards was greeted by outrage within activist communities. And Victoria police chief Jamie Graham recently admitted an undercover officer drove protesters to the torch-relay kick-off in October.
“It’s shocking,” Renn said. “Even speaking about the Olympics is seen as threatening. That’s a dangerous place for a society to be.”
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
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Van Isle
2 years ago
Now tell me that we're not
Now tell me that we're not becoming a police-state. Next, are they going to tell us that we can't criticize our governments?
matken
2 years ago
Such a change
It seems like once someone puts a uniform on, the give up their will and ability to think. They will do whatever they are told to do without question.
DPL
2 years ago
By gosh, she must be a
By gosh, she must be a threat to something. Unemployed for about 90 days and travelled or hoped to travel way down to Portland. What is this country coming to that the longest unprotected border, is now manned by a bunch of powerhungry folk. Mind you, the border guys are convinced a insurgent battalion is hiding right around the corner. Our premier is a convicted drunk driver yet he seems able to show up outside the provicne and country regularly and the sad part is, we are paying the tickets.
max von smartt
2 years ago
Integrated Security Unit
The Integrated Security Unit is responsible for security for the Olympic Games overall and in Richmond; located in a new 107,770 square foot state of the art building near the GM dealership by the Massey tunnel. Perhaps Assistant Commissioner Bud Mercer, Chief Operating Officer for the 2010 ISU can offer an explanation. This community safety building will be the new Richmond RCMP headquarters beginning in 2012. I feel safer already.
billboardlover
2 years ago
Off Topic - Looking for 71 Plymouth Cuda 383 History
I was searching around for possible links to history on a a White 71 Cuda I own (originally from Okanogan Falls area) and ran across this statement from "doggone" back on this blog in 2006----"I got to drive a "383 Cuda" just once - I tore the shifter out of it's mount and the owner would not let me fix it or drive it again. I have not seen any of them since". I am wondering if this is my car. If you know who "doggone" is or anything about the car, please email me at
Thank you very much.
Tim