Saskatoon Protests Olympic Torch Relay

Saskatoon Protesters peaceful at rally By Jeremy Warren, Saskatchewan News Network, January 12, 2010 http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/2010wintergames/Protesters+peaceful+ral...

While thousands of supporters at Kiwanis park waved flags and chanted encouragement for the 2010 Olympics, a small group of protesters had their slogans and flags that denounced the Olympic industry. About 30 protesters, part of a national movement demonstrating against the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, took their grievances to Saskatoon's Olympic torch relay event Monday. "True Sport or Corporate Opportunism?" read one protester's sign. Homelessness in Vancouver has worsened since the city's successful bid, which lead to the elimination of low income housing, and there's been much ecological destruction from construction and renovation of Olympic sites in B.C., said demonstration organizer Ashley Budd. The corporations -- from Coca-Cola to Royal Bank of Canada, both of which had significant presence at Monday's event with company giveaways and booths -- are using the games to push product, not sport, said Budd. "They're influencing these kids," said Budd, a University of Saskatchewan student. "This isn't an education. It's a corporate takeover." Event organizers bused in more than 1,000 students to Kiwanis Park to watch the torch relay and lighting of the Olympic caldron. Attendance was between 5,000 and 7,000 people, said organizers. Spectators were handed free bottles of Coke products and flags and RBC tambourines. Commercials played on a large screen above the performance stage. The entertainment MC spliced in corporate slogans in chants to rouse the crowd. "Are you happy?" said the MC, to cheers from the crowd. "I can't hear you! Are you happy?" The crowd cheered again. Then the MC revealed the Happiness is sponsored by Coca-Cola. "Are you ready to open happiness, Saskatoon?" Then the Coca-Cola-sponsored performers took the stage. The crowd was urged to cheer to "create a better Canada," to which again the crowd responded with cheers. "Are you ready to create a better Canada? Let's do with RBC," said the MC. Saskatoon Olympic Torch Relay Organizing Committee chair Jill Cope said corporate sponsorship is necessary for the event. "Putting on a torch run of this magnitude, you certainly need corporate sponsorship," said Cope. "(The advertising) wasn't blatant. I think the kids, and adults too, had fun." While demonstrations disrupted torch relays elsewhere in Canada, the demonstrators in Saskatoon were peaceful. They drummed and stood silently and burned sage. When approached, they answered questions or distributed leaflets. "We're not trying to stop the Olympics," said Budd. "We're trying to bring education to the Games."