London, Ontario, Protests Torch Relay

This Christmas Eve [Dec 24, 2009] more than 40 people gathered at the main gate to Victoria Park in London to protest the Olympic torch relay.

Large banners were held up, free food was provided by 'Food Not Games', and speakers from several community groups chanted and delivered their message to the crowds as the torch was about to arrive for a celebration.

During this protest over 1000 flyers from ORN and no2010 were handed out to
people as they arrived to see the torch. Several people stopped to learn
more and some joined us, including a few 'Torch Relay' volunteers who put
no2010 stickers over their name tags and started handing out our flyers
instead of Coke branded Canadian flags.

After speaking out at the gate, folks marched into the park chanting 'no
olympics on stolen native land'. Police tried to block people from weaving
their way through the crowds, but failed. After 'welcoming' the torch with
boos and chants, people regrouped at the main gate.

'Food not Games' was a central message, and during the over-financed
'celebration' not a single free meal was given out in the entire city;
except ours. 'Food not Games' served a healthy holiday meal to anyone who
thought free food was a better deal than an overpriced flame. Chants of
'Food Not Games, Homes Not Games' were heard clearly by the hundreds who
left the 'celebration' midway through.

A roll of stickers was also distributed to hundreds of spectators, and
stickers made their way onto numerous relay vehicles, infrastructure, and
corporate propaganda and advertising while children spoke of the need for
'education not games' and mothers spoke of fighting for a future for the
next generation.

Minus the ignorant patriots, classless classists, and preposterous police
presence, it was a formidable family friendly protest.

Props to Oneida, Six Nations, Toronto, Kitchener, and all other communities
resisting the 2010 Olympics across Ontario and throughout the world.

Video of protest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEkO04VL334