February 9, 2010

Even though the 2010 Winter Olympics are happening on the other side of the Salish Sea, the movement to oppose the games has a large contingent here in Victoria.

B Channel News previously brought you coverage of the protests surrounding the start of the Torch Relay. Our cameras were once again out on the streets to capture the ‘Evict Vanoc’ march and rally.

With the start of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games just a week away, on February 6th, a day of action was called by Victoria Coalition Against Poverty (VCAP) and No2010 Victoria.

The event started with a ceremonial “eviction” of the 2010 Winter Games Secretariat from the Board of Trade building in Bastion Square (Kuo-sing-el-as, or Place of Strong Fiber in Lekwungen, the local Coast Salish dialect). The Secretariat is the provincial agency responsible for the $600 million that the BC government has committed to the games.

“The Secretariat is VANOC’s partner and oversees B.C.’s financial commitment to the Games”, said organizer Shannon Lucy. “We evicted the Secretariat because we should not be spending billions on the Games in the midst of massive cutbacks to housing, essential services and other basic human needs.”

After speakers and music, the march proceeded onto Government Street, where protestors stood in the intersection and made noise at the Bay Centre entrance for a “sound-off”. The March was accompanied by less than a dozen Victoria Police who guided traffic as the March took place. (The Hudson’s Bay Company is an official sponsor of the 2010 games.) Mall security shut down the Fort St. entrance and inside the mall, while over the loud speaker a lock down was announced, asking shoppers to and proceed quietly and calmly to the Douglas St. entrance. Most people continued shopping.

The march continued down Fort St. to the Royal Bank on Fort and Douglas, where speeches were given. RBC (another primary sponsor of the games.) has been targeted by protestors for their investment in the tar sands.

“The tar sands have led to pollution and high cancer rates in the Fort Chipewyan First Nation located downstream. We went to let RBC customers know what their bank is really about.” said organizer Mik Turje.

The Royal Bank, however, had decided to stay closed on Saturday, and was unoccupied when the march arrived.

At Pandora and Quadra, speeches were given about the lack of a fix needle exchange in Victoria and drew attention to issues of poverty. The March ended at Centennial Square where participants rallied and relaxed with music and food.

Police had no altercations with protestors, but received a number of traffic complaints.

A variety of protests by different organizations have been planned for the duration of the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver.

“The Olympics have cost twice as much as it would take to bring everyone in province above poverty line. It only takes $2.8 billion to bring everyone in B.C. up to the poverty line, but the Olympics have cost us at least $6 billion”, said local organizer Shane Calder.

Related Media Links

Athletes aren’t the only ones training for the Games
Monday Magazine – February 10, 2010

No protesting Canada’s goaltenders
Toronto Star – February 9, 2010

Anti-Olympic Protestors Take to the Streets
B Channel News – February 8, 2010

Victoria protesters slam Games spending
Victoria Times Colonist – February 7, 2010

Anti-Olympic Protest
Victoria News – February 7, 2010

Street Art Up, Traffic Flow Down
Victoria Independent Media Centre – February 7, 2010

Demonstrators Protest Olympics in Downtown Victoria
CFAX – February 6, 2009

Police prepared for Day 1 demonstrations
CTV.ca – February 5, 2010

Anti-Olympic Protestors Disrupt Torch Relay
B Channel News – November 7, 2009