STORY about Peace/WarDirect Actionpublié le Septembre 27, 2011 by Michael
Dick Cheney's Vancouver Visit Galvanizes Spirited Protest
Front Entrance of 'Vancouver Club'
Contemplating the protest line
Trying to cross protest line
Protestor and police officer
Attempts to cross protest line into back door of the 'Vancouver Club'
Attempts to cross protest line into back door of the 'Vancouver Club'
Attempts to cross protest line into back door of the 'Vancouver Club'
Line crossed with the help of the Police
Looking nervous, contemplating crossing the line. Many allegedly chose not to.
Meanwhile, there was a lot of action at the front entrance as well
VPD holds hands with person crossing protest line
Everyone's taking pictures!
Also posted by Michael:
Also in Direct Action:
VANCOUVER - On a cloudy Monday night, hundreds of Vancouver residents gathered at the ‘Vancouver Club’ to protest the visit of former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. This was Cheney's first trip outside of the United States on his book tour.
The protestors came from a plethora of different backgrounds including anti-war, 9/11 conspiracy, legal expert, migrant justice, etc. It almost begs the question, who doesn’t have a reason to protest Dick Cheney? People that can afford a $500 ticket, apparently.
While the protest was light hearted at times, overall the protesters were serious in their opposition to Cheney’s presence, forming a picket line around both the front and back entrance to prevent supporters from entering. The protester’s were determined to illustrate Cheney’s position in the Iraq war and torture, and demand that international law be upheld in their city of Vancouver.
Even though hundreds were shouting for Dick Cheney’s arrest, the police seemed more interested in ensuring Cheney supporter’s got their chance for an autographed book. The police extended their hand to Cheney’s supporters, as they attempted to cross the picket line. However, many who came to hear Cheney were not brave enough to go against a wall of so many peaceful protestors.
A reporter from the Globe and Mail was not deterred; he pleaded to protesters to let him through: he said. “I’m a reporter. I’m a working guy. I belong to a union.”
Protestors holding the line promptly reminded the reporter that, along with right-wing Conservative party organizer Leah Costello, the Globe and Mail is actually sponsoring the Dick Cheney event and therefore they didn’t trust his bias and said he couldn’t cross the line.
The protest wrapped up around 2130, approximately four hours after it began. There was apparently one arrest. Unfortunately, the arrestee was not Dick Cheney.
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