Arrested for lighting smoke with Olympic Flame!

This is amazing but also ridiculous how violent the police takedown and arrest of this guy is.

Also check out this Al Jazeera Vancouver video:

Breaking News: Olympic Censorship of Vancouver Media Coop

Update: VMC has re-posted the video which was censored from Youtube [details below] on blip.tv here. I was right, there is nothing from this video that belongs to the IOC... their reason for censoring youtube is likely the Carrie Serwetnyk's interview.


Original Posting:
Wow, I just ambled over to the VMC page this afternoon to checkout the latest news and what did I find:

The same for the youtube:
What is going on here? Judging by the screenshot of this censored video,
it looks like it features Carrie Serwetnyk, who was diverted from her torch bearing run on commercial drive Friday. But the earlier VMC video:

is still up on the VMC video list.

So what is going on? What is the "copyright" violation? These videos are produced by VMC then broadcast via youtube. I would really like to see what is in that video and what the IOC claims they own even when it is just a video of protest made in Vancouver with the Olympics as the backdrop.

While researching this I found a few interesting articles about the IOC's heavy handed approach to information control: Covering competing logos, Antagonistic to Independent Media, they also got Amy Goodman stopped at the border afraid she would talk about the Olympics. They've copyrighted the numbers 2010 and our national anthem - so maybe the video just has people singing O Canada in it?

I do also know they have -- in my view -- abused the laws in Canada to protect their trademarks and official exclusive merchandise. Because the Olympics are a publicly funded entity here, VANOC has somehow been able to claim crown protection over their sport event logos. This crown trademark law is designed to prevent people illegally copying the logo from the police, fire or ambulance - that sort of thing. It is for those special cases only. But somehow the Olympics got their logo in with the same protection as if copying the olympic logo (or having had it up for years before the games) is akin to fraudulently pretending to be an ambulance!

Given the IOC track record, I must assume this recent video takedown is equally spurious -- that is until I can see the video and judge for myself. Fortunately this is video created by the VMC and only posted on youtube so presumably they will find another way to post this desperately needed dissenting dialogue video.

Shame on the IOC then for this recent suppression of disagreement. How do they get away with this? Will we continue to let them?

The mural by Jesse Corcoran is just so apt for the situation both with the artwork itself and how it was taken down.

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PS The IOC is also trying to bully the British Media to stop them reporting on the negative stories about the Olympics!

Love Ride 15th, People's Prom tonight

Hey, I don't know much about this but it sounds fun:

Says it aims to be between Midnight Mass and CM in style. Not sure what that means? I do hope people put some thought into being slightly organised. (Here follows my pro-corking tirade, I have no reason to think the organisers don't already know this, I just like repeating myself ;-)) It may seem a hassle to be pro-active about corking but it is really really worthwhile, doesn't take a lot of effort, and corking is fun anyway because you get to talk to strangers who are 95% of the time nice or interesting. And it keeps the ride together which is SO important for safety. If the choice is between being a total individualist and have to be super vigilant about every car/danger and riding together and having some look out for each other so you can have some spare attention to pay to other riders/the city --- I'd choose riding together every time.

Also, drinking and riding is a fun idea (ie I'd rather be a drunken cyclist than a designated driver) but not a safe or bright idea - especially when some people are not familiar with each other ---such as in this kind of publically announced ride. People in our community have been seriously injured riding drunk! Yes, you are not the danger to others that driving a car is - but I don't want to see cyclists hurt either. So please be sensible and maybe wait until the end of the ride for libation. Watch out for each other and all will be well.

That time of year again, the People's Prom is tonight. The funraising is for anti-olympic efforts this time. Haven't heard too much about it because it always sells out so I think they don't bother with much advertising. I don't know if tickets are left. They were sold at OCB as well as places on the drive but maybe not on this day of the event? Go early if you want to get in then.

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Great Women's March today.

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Hey, check out this new blog I only just discovered. Kinda pixelated graphics? A nifty blog nonetheless. They aren't taking sides on the o'lympdics -- but they are posting good information you don't find elsewhere. New blog for the blogroll :)

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Hey, did you notice that Micheal Bluejay's worldwide Critical Mass hub has ended. :-( Too bad, it was a great resource and he did a lot of good work for 10 years. Makes me feel old that I remember CM blogging when his site first existed. Thanks Micheal! So the wikia is the global resource now I guess. C'mon people the Vancouver page is blank! I'll get a start on that today but please sign up for wikia and add to it!

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Police agreed to a 45ft Banner Drop from Cambie Bridge. Good for them and everyone, maybe the issue of Homelessness will make the Sports TV news ;-p

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I must confess: I am drawn to this Olympic attraction: free zip line over robson.

So much so that I hesitated posting it here selfishly because I don't want to increase the length of the lineup. Has anyone tried this? Is there a lineup? Is it worth it? (free) Can anyone go? (ie, my senior citizen dad? my baby?) Grrr... Olympics. At least its free. I guess I just like heights and to get that unique perspective of the city. Maybe I'll unfurl an anti-olympic banner as I zip down ;-)

More 'Lymp-ics Links

This is an important video to watch given the overwhelming spin on these events in the mass media:So I guess RIOT 2010 happened this morning after all? I guess you've got to take the writing on the wall seriously then.



Anyway, here are some links to up to date news, I've found the main Olympic Resistance website pretty slow to update. Also, a favourite magazine of mine (when it was still printed) Only has some pretty decent coverage (actually that is where I saw some of the opening ceremonies) I will admit to being impressed that they recruited Shane Koyczan. That's a more locally connected performer than I would have expected. Rowan who actually made the first Vancouver Critical Mass web page that I took over knows? Shane. I've seen him preform at the W.I.S.E. hall and maybe Cafe Duex Soleil - I wouldn't be surprised if the WISE hall event was one of Rowan's Living Closet or an Artists Against War events... though I can't remember - does any other veteran of post-CM events know?

However, his poem was far too Nationalistic for my tastes. It isn't inherently different from those the Molson "I am Canadian" ads. Slightly better, but that may be negated if it catches on and gets oft-repeated the way the Molson ad did.

There is a new thing called Vancouver Media Coop which is quite exciting. I don't know the story of it. Maybe fill the hole left by Vancouver Indymedia? Looks like a pretty radical group, of maybe that's just the submissions. Its seems at first glance a lot better put together front page than IMC was - I think people expect more of the web nowadays. I wonder if this group will continue after the Olympics - boy howdy do we ever need more of that here in gentrified Vancouver!

This guy lost his job just for knowing Chris Shaw!

There was a flashmob on Robson that was threatening to be a great unpermitted street party - but sadly it was far too depoliticised and the red mittens hadn't much irony to them. Ah well, fun was had.

And the ubiquitous twitter feeds. I'll admit to being pretty naive about twitter, facebook and all the newfangled big brother web 2.umm whatever stuff. I've been avoiding it. Please write me some better links if you know better on that topic.

#onlympics
#no2010
#report2010
@Dave_Eby
surprisingly this isn't bad:
@24hoursvan

The stuff that has a sense of humour to it is what keeps me going. Bitter but funny. Funny sarcastic comments at Vancouver Sun website.

PS you don't have to loath the Olympics like I do to enjoy Critical Mass. CM has all sorts of people on it. (Including those who haven't paid enough attention to this 8 Billion dollar boondoggle that will bite us for many, many more years) I'm just sayin' that because I know my posts are slightly off topic technically. But hey, start your own CM blog! I'll link to you too ;-)

VANcouver OCcupation

Well, I am told that Critical Mass this month is to be pretty Olympics themed. So, I'll give in and post my personal thoughts:

^my impression on the Little Mountain Housing squatted tent city

Here are some links, I'm pretty out of the loop these days (trying to stay out of the 5 loops! ;-) Keep in touch and make us proud!

• olympicresistance.net
• no2010.com
• 2010welcoming.wordpress.com
  
• gatewaysucks.org
• straight.../calendar-protests-2010-olympics
• thefiveringcircus.com
• ainfos.ca
• rabble...olympic-resistance-network-presents-case
• facebook.group
• resist.ca/~orn/blog
• my-calm.info

Dance in the Olympic Streets!

• youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k
• Then an incredible mashup at London’s Liverpool Street Station
• youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3d3KigPQM
• vimeo.com/8822567
• vimeo.com/8825140
• facebook.com/imagine1day

Please update or add corrections in the comments. Thanks.

News and my comments:

• The biggest weapon for the VANcouver OCupation against us is fear and intimidation... They want us depressed so we don't show up to make our own voice heard in our own city! that's pretty weak for them
  
• Take heart, they are more vulnerable than us, even if they have all the money. They rely on a potent MYTH of Olympic popular support and Olympic Idealism. We know this to be lies, we only have to reveal the truth. Don't be afraid or believe all their hype. Our police are not monsters, they are often very reasonable human beings and even helpful at Critical Mass. They will be under pressure to do stupid things now - but not by us or most people. Always the violence at mass protests is overemphasized (or just plain made up) by mainstream media - all to scare us away because they know that corporate control is very fragile. We can simply refuse. Maybe that refusal will spread to Olympic volunteers and workers aka peaceful sabotage. I know more than a few people who are roped into helping out this 5 ring circus who don't support it and would gladly join the opposition if a viable useful way for them to help is offered. Be creative, possibilities are endless. Could this be the year the Olympics gets shut down and cancelled and the whole con game falls apart - local accountability prevails? :-) Olympics Fail?
  
• Wow, the Olympics are literally nazi apologists covering up history!?!
• Did you know VANOC, for their "greenest" Olmpics decided to "invest" in thousands of White SUVs to drive VIP Olympic Family (VISA, Coke, etc) around? Why not use trains, bikes, or heck even smaller cars? Well, they aren't carrying skies or any equipment, just a sort of limo service. For that you need SUV fleets. Like the police commanders in their luxury black SUVs calling the shots of a riot...(I digress) So what happens to the SUVs after the 'lympdics get out of town? They get auctioned off. I know there are over 300 under the Burrard bridge, and there are several other lots... so thousands. Most of these SUVs will likely be sold locally. So the most visible, everyday significant Olympic Legacy in Vancouver will be a thousand White SUVs on the street! This is the kind of cynicism we have come to expect from those corporatists occupying our city. And a pretty good reason for a cyclist (or any rational being) to take a stand against it all.
  
• If all of this seems unduly negative, go checkout railforthevalley and get something more useful happening. Please. Bombardier is trying to push their Olympic line train. I don't like those Arms Manufacturers (and seriously, the Olympic torches look like a Millenium Line lighting fixture - pug fugly) but it proves there is a lot of possibility there.
• Proof there is a God and he answers the prayers of the righteous ;-p I know this is old news but you have to smile. Maybe our dreams of housing price collapse (aka affordable housing in Vancouver) will be answered too!
  

Yes, big fun troublemaking peaceful ride, 5:30pm at the VAG downtown, Feb 26. Ride together, we are strong in one another. Think positive thoughts. Positive warm El Nino thoughts!

2011

<><><><NO OLYMPICS ON STOLEN LAND<><><>
Resistance to corporate invasion of indigenous territories!

A www.no2010.com event featuring Ward Churchill and a report back from the Intercontinental Indigenous gathering in Sonora Mexico.

Sunday, October 28th 6pm Ukrainian Hall 154 E.10th Ave.

A night of speakers and solidarity to support the Ward Churchill Legal Defense Fund and local anti-Olympic struggles!

WARD CHURCHILL: Ward Churchill (Keetoowah Band Cherokee) is one of the most outspoken of Native American activists and scholars in North America and a leading analyst of indigenous issues. He is former tenured Professor of Ethic Studies and Coordinator of American Indian Studies at the University of Colorado, fired in retaliation for the exercise of his First Amendment-protected speech and in violation of the doctrine of Academic Freedom.

KANAHUS PELLKEY: Kanahus Pellkey is a Secwepemc & Ktnuxa. She is a Warrior and spokesperson for the Native Youth Movement. She is a community organizer, and has worked with many Indigenous Nations throughout Turtle Island.

GORD HILL: Gord Hill is a member of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation. He is an artist and organizer who has been active with the Native Youth Movement, the Sutikalh Camp and other groups. He is an activist with the Anti-Colonial/Anti-Capitalist Convergence against the 2010 Winter Olympics.

JILL CHETTIAR: Jill Chettiar is an organizer with the Anti-Poverty Committee in Vancouver. She has been working on struggles for housing and welfare justice and does support work for sex workers rights organizations.

Suggested donations $5 - $20 All proceeds go to Ward Churchill's Legal Defense Fund and local anti-Olympic struggles

Countdown to 2010 Shutdown Fundraise

Picture the Struggle
Funraising for the Anti-Poverty Committee's Housing Campaign
Silent Art Auction: Seriagraphy, Paintings, Comics & more Art
BEX Folk Guitar, Original Blues Warrior Ricky
Ecoholalia: a Radical Trio of Women on Cello, Violin, Guitar & Vocals

Saturday March 3
7:30pm Rhizome Cafe
317 e Broadway
Sliding Scale

Anti-Olympix Rally

In is astounding that more highways are being built and elite only development when we are facing Global Climate Change. 4 year countdown until the Olympics is behind us! Like I said in 2003 when the vote was in Vancouver: 7 years of bad luck. But wouldn't it be amazing if Vancouver was the first city to SHUT DOWN the corporate Olympics!? We've already wasted a lot of money and build one more motorway, but it's never too late. The lies about 'green' Olympics are wearing thin. They couldn't win another referendum today.

Monday Feb. 12 @ 12 noon,
at Vancouver Art Gallery

Olympic organizers will be unveiling a 3-year 'Countdown Clock' to 2010 Winter Games. The event will be broadcast live on CTV from 12 noon to 1 PM. This is a prime opportunity to publicly oppose 2010 Corporate Invasion & dislocation of urban poor, Indigenous peoples, etc.

Please distribute to your networks.

There will also be an anti-olympic organizing meeting
Monday Feb 12 at 7 PM, 327 Carrall St. in Vancouver.

.oOo.

Homelessness, Ecological Destruction, Corporate lnvasion of Native lands, Huge Profits for Corporations, Massive Public Debt, Increased Police Repression & Surveillance... Let's Stand Together & Show The World There Is NO TIME for the Olympics!

Protest Against Olympic 'Countdown Clock' On Feb. 12th, 2007 VANOC (Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee) will Begin a 3-Year 'Countdown Clock' to the 2010 Winter Olympics

Already, 2010 has caused: Homelessness & Poverty (100's evicted as low-income hotels close for tourism) Environmental Destruction (logging & blasting the Earth for Hwy. expansion, new roads, & facilities for events) Imprisonment of Squamish Elder (in January, 2007, Harriet Nahanee-- in her '70s-- was sentenced to 14 days in jail for protesting highway expansion at Eagle Ridge in N. Vancouver, May 2006).

Speakers & Drummers from Secwepemc, St'at'imc & Lil'wat, Native Youth Movement, Anti-Poverty Committee, No One ls Illegal, DERA, Wild Earth, SF-PIRG, and Others. Bring Drums & Noise-makers.

Organized by: Anti-Olympic Coalition
Anti-Olympic links
Carnegie Community Action Project CCAP