Civil Liberties Law-Suit Against Olympic Gag Order

October 7, 2009
For immediate release
BCCLA helps activists sue City over Olympic gag law

Vancouver, B.C. – The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is supporting two activists in challenging the constitutionality of the City of Vancouver’s recently passed Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games By-law.

“The bylaw is an affront to free speech. Its purpose and effect is to limit citizens’ rights to express dissenting views and to hear dissenting views on public property,” says David Eby, Executive Director of the BCCLA. Eby cited concerns about the bylaw restricting signs that aren’t “celebratory” and listing public facilities and even a city park as places where free expression is limited as particularly offensive.

The lawsuit is being filed by Dr. Chris Shaw, a professor, and Alissa
Westergard-Thorpe, a student. They are being represented by Vancouver lawyers Jason Gratl and Robert Holmes.

“Vancouver's Olympic bylaw is an infringement on my Charter rights and those
of all people who wish to express themselves and to listen,” said Dr. Shaw.
“If the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is to be a guarantee of anything, if
it is to be more than words on paper, this bylaw cannot be allowed to stand.”

In court documents filed today, both Shaw and Westergard-Thorpe say they
intend to criticize the 2010 Olympic Games through signs, leaflets, and
merchandise at the sites listed in the bylaw. They are asking the Court to
declare the bylaw’s offensive provisions unconstitutional and order that the
City of Vancouver be prevented from enforcing them.

“Going to Court on a clear-cut free expression issue is a waste of time and
money,” said Westergard-Thorpe. “We’ve all got better things to do, but if
the City insists on passing bad bylaws, people who value free speech have no
choice but to stand up and challenge them.”

MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Eby, Executive Director, BCCLA (778) 865-7997
Dr. Chris Shaw, (604) 875-4111 x68373
Alissa Westergard-Thorpe, (778) 668-0790