NEWS RELEASE posted on December 4, 2009 by Zoe Blunt
Hey Chief Graham, let's debate spies and rights
No2010 Victoria challenges police chief to a debate about spies and civil liberties
December 4, 2009
A Victoria group opposed to the 2010 Olympics is challenging police chief Jamie Graham to a public debate about secret police tactics and civil liberties. Graham’s recent statements that police infiltrated a group traveling by bus to Victoria raise new concerns about the legality of police conduct.
“We are not intimidated by secret police operations,” said No 2010 Victoria spokesperson Zoe Blunt. “These officers can play spy games and make jokes about it, but we are serious about civil liberties and social justice and we will continue with our public organizing.”
Speaking to reporters at the Victoria police station, Blunt said, “The police have pledged to protect and serve a corporate-sponsored sporting event, and they are spending millions to harass social justice advocates and indigenous rights activists and anti-poverty groups. That is not acceptable.”
“Now that Chief Graham has raised the subject of possible illegal police operations, we are challenging him to explain his statements and defend the tactics he’s bragging about, if he can,” Blunt said.
On Monday, November 31, Graham told a group of security conference attendees that police had infiltrated a group attending an anti-Olympics rally and march on October 30th, 2009.
“You knew that the protesters weren’t that organized when on the ferry on the way over they all rented a bus, they all came over on a bus, and there was a cop driving the bus!” Graham told the 12th Vancouver International Security Conference on Monday.
For months, members of No2010 Victoria and the Vancouver Olympic Resistance Network have been warning the public about police violation of civil liberties. Harassment by security police, bylaws banning signs and purchases of military-grade crowd-control equipment have mainly served to alienate the public and shine a light on police abuses.
Olympic critics across Canada have spoken out against the Games not only as a colossal waste of public resources, but also for the social costs they will bring to the region. “We’ve been open and out-spoken in rallying support for indigenous rights, an end to homelessness, and environmental justice on growing social issues that can be directly attributed to the Olympics,” said Blunt. “Now we’re facing an overzealous security engaging in undercover operations.”
Most recently, American news host and producer of “Democracy Now” Amy Goodman was detained at the Canadian border on November 25th and questioned if she was going to criticize the Olympics at a speech that day in Vancouver. The incident has focused world attention on potential 2010 police abuses.
“The public can decide for themselves if such actions are a good use of resources or if the authorities are out of line,” Blunt said. “We want an open debate on the issue.”
Meanwhile, local groups are stepping up their plans for a huge celebration of civil liberties and free speech in Vancouver this February. A festival and march will take to the streets to demand support for indigenous rights, help for homeless people, and environmental justice.
Photo: Chris Bevacqua
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