Civil society activists refrained from criticizing Saturday’s violent march as they unfurled a giant banner from Cambie Bridge Monday morning. But the head of Pivot Legal Society hoped today’s action changes the way people think about protest.
“This project was done in a collaborative way,” John Richardson told the Tyee. “There’s no violence or destruction of property involved in it.”
At 8am, reporters gathered on the north side of False Creek, cameras aimed at the Cambie Bridge. Five or six ant-like figures slowly dropped a 20 by 45 foot banner off the railing’s edge.
Giant white letters spelled “Homes for All.” A sombre face in the bottom-left corner was framed by a black city skyline above.
“Nobody objects, it’s a good message,” said Vancouver Island's Colin Weavers as he strolled along the waterfront.
The banner was a kick-off of sorts for Pivot Legal Society’s Red Tent campaign. It hung for about 20 minutes, the result of an agreement with Olympics security forces.
“As long as we took it down after a reasonable amount of time, we were able to make our point,” long-time Olympics activists Am Johal said.
Today’s conciliatory vibes couldn’t have differed more from Saturday's riot. A contingent of black-clad protesters inside a larger march smashed downtown windows and fought with police.
Several activists were hit with batons. Seven were arrested and three charged.
"I was really disappointed,” B.C. Civil Liberties Association executive director David Eby told CBC on Sunday. "If the feedback I've been getting from activists is any indication, they've not only turned off the public, but a large segment of the activist community with their tactics."
Johal didn’t cast any blame today. He suggested it would be unproductive.
“We’re not going to comment on what other groups are doing,” he said. “We hope to stay focussed on being peaceful and getting our message across.”
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
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Frank
2 years ago
Potemkin village
"It hung for about 20 minutes, the result of an agreement with Olympics security forces. "
That's excellent, its always good to make sure you have state approval for your protesting and that you stop at the allowed time.
One wonders why the protest wasn't done in a theatre and simply filmed to make it look like it happened on a public stage.
wcullen
2 years ago
The forest through the trees
There's nothing wrong with getting approval for such protest; if anything, it illustrates that, for whatever reason, those who hold the reigns of power are willing (or feel complelled) to allow such demonstrations.
The demonstrations on Saturday were, by and large, peaceful and witnessed restraint on the part of virtually all demonstrators as well as the ISU/Police--kudos to them all for doing so. That being said, don't confuse this 'kudos' as support for the liberties police have taken (and they have) nor for blind obedience to authority--it is not. I have little illusions about the abuse of, or liberties taken with, power having seen it abused in ways thatmany Canadians, thankfully, will never have to witness.
But it is equally important to realise that there are groups out there who will use mega-events like the Olympics solely to purport a skewed vision of society (as members of the financial elite misrepresent their skewed view of society). And these people, like any of the dogmatic, are the squeeky wheels who do not represent what average citizens, on either side of the debate, wish: fairness, equality, social stability, and justice.
I am not suggesting that we abandon vigilance. There are continued incursions against our civil liberties. But, for the most part, we do live in a civil society where we can have our say and in a variety of ways. Saying this I do believe there have been significant incursions against all of our civil liberties (especially in security and since 9/11--see Bill C-36, for example). But our responses should reflect those incursions and, in no way shape or form, do these incursions suggest an Orwellian Police State is on the horizon--to believe such is naive. Therefore, the need for violent demonstrations is untenable.
In the end, such displays of self-interest distort the reality and, sadly, allow those who would infringe upon our collective liberties to do so.
We live in a society where there are problems, but they are unlike China, Africa, or other authoritarian or desparate nation states of today or the past. We are not in danger of becoming slaves to the state (to credit card debt, maybe). Our problems require little more than for more average people to inform themselves and, then, to speak their minds to the authorities. We need not act violently. Furthermore, I believe we should, contrary to Johal's claim, cast dispersions on those who do advocate such extreme measure in lieu of reason to do so.
Should those in authority continue to seek to work with those of us who are concerned about infringements upon our rights and freedoms then we should do so. And we should continue to work with them until such time as they demonstrate an unwillingness to do so. What is of ultimate importance is that rights and freedoms are built upon not eroded. And this requires co-operation--civil co-operation, not violence.
Maurice Cardinal
2 years ago
It's a long term game
At the end of the 17 day run, the ONLY thing that matters regarding protesting of the Olympics is results, and so far nothing has occured that would cause the IOC to change how they do business now or more importantly in the future.
Vancouver is a tempest in a teapot with the IOC winning at every round.
Until protesters impact the financial side nothing will change.
W Laurier
2 years ago
Big Show....
There were five demonstrators, ten cops and a dozen media. Traffic didn't even slow down to look. A really big showing.
Skywalker
2 years ago
Wrong Maurice Cardinal.
Who gives a rats arse what the IOC does. It is the local politicians who need to be influenced. They won't be influenced by anything other than the ballot box. Right now the herd is thundering along recklessly but there's a surprise at the end of the stampede. You know the bills will come due. Then we'll see.