STORY posted on January 13, 2010 by dawn
No Torch, No Tarsands
Edmontonians stand up against capitalism
Torch Runner with Security Detail in Edmonton
Banner at Churchill Square in Edmonton
Also posted by dawn:
Also in :
EDMONTON-- Dozens of people protested the official Olympics ceremony in downtown Edmonton this evening, an island of resistance in a sea of people out to see the big show.
Those standing together against the torch drew attention to social and environmental issues that they argue are exacerbated by the Olympics.
"Capitalism just makes me feel gross," said a protestor leafletting in the crowd gathered at Churchill Square. "It's sort of at the backbone of what is really fucking humans up."
Activsts chanted slogans including "Homes not Games," and "No Olympics on Stolen Native Land."
They also drew a clear link between the tar sands and the 2010 Olympics, but the connection wasn't clear to bystanders.
"Most Edmontonians don't agree with it, they know where the bread and butter comes from," said Ed Dykstra, referring to a banner reading "No tar sands, No Olympics on Native Land."
As for why activsts would be concerned about the tar sands, Dykstra also had no idea. "The tar sands is a very miniscule part of the greenhouse gas problem," he said. "As far as mining the ground is concerned, there is nothing growing there in the first place."
"The greenest games that are supposed to be carbon neutral are heavily sponsored by the companies active in the tar sands, the fastest growing contributor to climate change," said Macdonald Sainsby, who also organizes an an annual conference about the tar sands. This year's conference will focus on the Olympics as well as the tar sands.
Three people were handcuffed and detained on the torch route for alledgedly swearing at the torch. They were later released without charge.
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Comments
Who is Ed Dykstra?
In response to the gross mis-information Mr. Dykstra has given, i just want to make sure this article was printed to MAKE FUN of him, and not to spread this disinformation about Canada's current energy mecca the Alberta Tar Sands.
the tar sands are beneath the Boreal Forest. on of the worlds largest sources of oxygen.
to say there is nothing growing 'up' there, is quite frankly, embarrassing to fellow Canadians.
I was at the torch relay last night, and i was actually surprised at the protesters for being as respectful as they were. The raised their voice, but were not aggressive. One of them explained to me that this being a community event about what makes us Canadian, they were here to represent a part of Canada that is largely misrepresented.
Ed Dykstra, if you have any relation to Ted Dykstra from the Soulpepper Theatre co, I know he would be ashamed.
other than that it was a good article.