Prof to Challenge Olympic Laws
By 250 News
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 10:31 AM
Prince George, B.C.- For UBC Professor Christopher Shaw opposing the Olympics will mean a trip to court. Speaking on the Meisner program this morning on CFISFM, Shaw says he is involved in court challenges of two new laws which impact freedom of speech.
Shaw is concerned about Bill 13. This is a law which Shaw says prevents people from using the Olympic Rings in a message protesting the games based on the premise the rings are only to be used for positive marketing messages. There is also a special Vancouver bylaw (which is being challenged) which prevents anti-Olympic messages from being displayed in the window of your home. “We are actually going to challenge that (in Court) we see it as a fundamental assault on Charter rights, and they cannot be allowed to stand. If they can do this, it means that all of our basic civil liberties in this country are subordinate to a foreign entity or any entity which simply wants to change rules and the civil rights for all us for a party, or for their marketing purposes, or whatever special purpose. It means the Supreme law of Canada is no longer the Supreme law of Canada.”
Since vocalizing his thoughts that the Olympics are a waste of money and a two week event that will leave the Province with a long lasting financial hangover, Shaw has become the subject of a security probe.
His ex-wife was approached for information, as was his current girlfriend Danika Surm. Danika was approached by IOC officers at her college as she was moving from one class to another. “They asked me what I knew about Chris, and what he might be planning or people he works with might be planning around the Olympics if there was something dangerous they might need to know about.”
Surm says if the officers had been listening at all, they would know the real thrust of their protesting the Olympics is the right to freedom of speech and their right to speak out. “I’m not the only one of Chris’s friends or acquaintances that has been approached.” She says the officers are acting in a “stalking” sort of way. They had asked her for her phone number, and while she didn’t produce it, she did receive a phone call the next day from someone involved in the Olympic Security team, “So asking for my number was just a formality when they called the next day to show they already had it.”
Shaw says what happened to Danika caught a lot of people off guard, “When they started approaching people I know, or people I handed a pamphlet to, now it could be anybody it became very personal.” Shaw says the provincial bylaw, and the new bylaw in Vancouver “Look like something you would see in China, not in Canada.”
Shaw says the IOC, a foreign entity, has deemed that our civil liberties are subordinate to their needs, their marketing , their need to make money during that 17 day period. “We are supposed to give up our civil liberties in the lead up and for 17 days and for me, that’s outrageous. I can’t see how most people in this country would find that acceptable.”
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Posted by: Harbinger on October 14 2009 12:21 PM
The fact that we have an "elected" democratic government that supports it, is truly scary indeed!
And I agree,the IOC has far too much power and control, considering they are not even from this country!
When we have a group like the IOC, (and Vanoc as well) telling our government what they will do and how they will do it,we have a huge problem!
How they get away with that is a complete mystery.
This shows the true meaning of corporate power and what the Olympics are really all about!
I suspect that with all the opposition to these "games",the format that governs the Olympics in the future, may just change.
Hopefully for the better!