ORN Press Conference: Proposed City By-Law Changes & Olympic Village

On Thursday Jan 22 Vancouver City Council will be 'debating' a series of
significant Olympics-related issues including financing of the Olympic
Village and a bylaw to restrict non-Games (ie anti-Games) signs.

If you can, please sign up at City Council to speak to these issues. No
formal presentations needed - just make your voice heard! Call today
(Wednesday) as early as possible.

*** Anyone can sign up with the City Clerk's Office (604-873-7276) to
speak. The sessions begin around 10 am, not sure when it might end. ***

The discussions are:
A8 - Restrictions on signs
RR2 - Olympic Village financing issues

There will also be a press conference organized by ORN at 11 am at City
Hall (435 W 12th Ave, just West of Cambie Street), so come out and support
if you can!

PRESS RELEASE:

==> CRITICS OPPOSE CITY COUNCIL MOTIONS TO FINANCE USELESS OLYMPIC VILLAGE
==> CRITICS DENOUNCE "SIGNS" BYLAW AS FUNDAMENTALLY ANTI-DEMOCRATIC

WHEN: Thursday Jan 22 @ 11 am

WHERE: Press Conference at Vancouver City Council

WHY: Critics of the Games, including Chris Shaw of 2010 Watch and Gord Hill of Olympics Resistance Network, are furious at the ever-expanding budget of the Olympic Games and are calling on Vancouver residents to "open their eyes to the reality of the Olympic Games as a scam that is not worth the hype."

On Thursday January 22, Vancouver City Council will be debating a staff
report about taking over financing of the billion-dollar Olympic Village.
This comes on the heels of Bill 47 passed in the BC Legislature which
gives the city unlimited borrowing power for completion of the
development.

City Council will also be hearing recommendations to alter bylaws and the
City Charter to cleanse Vancouver of "offensive and illegal non-Games"
signs from private residences and businesses, including signs critical of
the Games, triggering serious concerns about anti-democratic censorship of
dissent.