Olympic Torch Run Successfully Disrupted in TO
Fri, 2009-12-18 01:13
#1
Le T
Olympic Torch Run Successfully Disrupted in TO
Fri, 2009-12-18 01:33
#2
RevolutionPlease
Thanks for this Le T. Rock on Brother.
Fri, 2009-12-18 01:39
#3
Le T
I was there. It was a pretty succesful action. Some people who were there to watch the torch who I was talking with even "changed sides" once they were aware of what "No Olympics on stolen native land" meant. I was with a group at the front at Nathan Phillip's Square and I can honestly say that the crowd was much scarier than the cops tonight. It was sureal how ultra-nationalist this bizzaro celebration was. I felt like I was at some fascist rally- which I guess I was.
Link to the CBC coverage.
And for some real laughs check out the unbiased reporting on ctv.ca The fact that about 150 people outsmarted the cops and forced the flame to change course, hide in a van and require about 75 riot cops just to get to city hall makes it into a half sentence in a multi-paragraph raw-raw piece on the facist celebration at city hall.
Fri, 2009-12-18 02:11
#4
fascist rally indeed - the Torch parade was a nazi invention and seems to still resonate with those sorts of inclinations. Good work all who 'disrupted'. Canadian Colonialism is not a Game. Shame on Deepa Mehta who should know better: "Toronto filmmaker Deepa Mehta was
surprised when she was chosen. 'I was absolutely thrilled...My God this is wonderful..' No Deepa it isn't at all!
Vancouver Groups Release Statement Opposing Games:
http://noii-van.resist.ca/?p=1615
"While the 2010 Olympics are still a short time away, many are well aware of the devastating impact they are having on our communities. From traditional Indigenous territories to the impoverished Downtown Eastside (DTES) and from migrant workers to low income families, thousands are being evicted, displaced and exploited..."
Fri, 2009-12-18 02:26
#5
Thanks for the picture! Shared on FB. :)
Fri, 2009-12-18 05:05
#6
CTV won't let me put mildly negative comments about the Olympics in their comment sections on their Olympic website. Even a comment such as "I'm not a fan of the Olympics" does not pass their censors. I did put a positive test comment such as "I loved the Montreal Olympics." It got through.
I was flipping the channels and saw bits of the torch infomercial on both CKCO-TV Kitchener and CFTO-TV Toronto. I found it intereeting to see both stations simulcast the Toronto City Hall Torch fest and a "Support local TV" commercial. You would think that the Kitchener station would have preferred to air a local program such as E-Talk Conestoga. Then again, local TV is run out of Toronto.
As a sidenote: I love Lululemon's ambush marketing campaign supporting a sporting event that will be taking place in British Columbia between 2009 and 2011. As I have mentioned on other comment boards, I think I'll buy a pair of Lululemon jeans. They'll enhance my beer bellé.
I hope the Vancouver Canucks win the Stanley Cup in the year between 2009 and 2011.
Fri, 2009-12-18 09:33
#7
Sven
Wow!!! They actually "disrupted" the Olympic torch run?!?!
Thanks impressive.
![http://i34.tinypic.com/11raq06.gif[/IMG]](http://i34.tinypic.com/11raq06.gif[/IMG]){kind=link}
Fri, 2009-12-18 09:35
#8
fascist rally indeed - the Torch parade was a nazi invention
What? Really? The Nazi's started the whole Olympic torch parade thing??
Fri, 2009-12-18 09:52
#9
Sven
Well, regardless of the genesis of the Olympic torch run, I, for one, am impressed that the run was successfully "disrupted".
Fri, 2009-12-18 10:00
#10
RevolutionPlease
Olympics or money to help stop malaria Sven? Which is better value for the money?
Fri, 2009-12-18 10:03
#11
Sven
Did you stop the Olympics???
Now that would be news!!
But, from what I understand, a torch run was "successfully disrupted"...
Fri, 2009-12-18 10:41
#12
Maybe a side topic here. For thos ewho want to disrupt the olympics or even get rid of them all together, what would you recommend in their place?
I've never cared either way for the olympics.
I'm very disapopinted and embarassed about what's going on with this year's olympics as far as the freedom of speech and expression stuff going on.
I still appreciate that the Olympics employ thousands upon thousands of people.
There is someone in Bosnia right now who feeds her family because she is a coach for the womans swim team [Just a totally random example]
So what do we do about the Olympics? Do cancel the Olympics the world over?
This year I would have liked to see the homeless and employment challanged out west to be employed by the olympics. Government set up some kind of quickie worker school or something and employ them.
Fri, 2009-12-18 10:42
#13
I saw it in Oak Bay Village.
The kids seemed to like it.
Dogs were terrified.
The Pie was Meh.
Fri, 2009-12-18 11:02
#14
Le T
I still appreciate that the Olympics employ thousands upon thousands of people.
There is someone in Bosnia right now who feeds her family because she is a coach for the womans swim team [Just a totally random example]
Coaches don't get paid that much. Especially in poorer countries in events that they don't typically do well in. As for the justification of the jobs created... temporary jobs, shitty pay, not a solution to why people are actually unemployed.
The Olympics are not a sporting event, they are an ad for Coke, RBC, CTV, PC, etc. There are already world events in every major sport throughout the world. These are usually a little less corporate but that's like saying Winnipeg is a little less cold than Dawson City.
This Olympics is of course taking place on the untreatied (read stolen, by British/Canadian law, the Royal Proc.) land. It is exactly the same thing as when China hosted and took the torch through Tibet. It's actually more like if China had hosted the games in Lhasa. The extreme displays of "Aboriginal Culture" (note the singular, which is used throughout the official program) is a way of telling the world that "post-apology" Canada is a great place to be an Indigenous person - despite the fact that Canada is a leading abuser of Inigenous rights in the world and has refused to sign the UN Indigenous Rights declaration. The "greenest games ever" bullshit is meant to green wash Canada - despite the fact that Canada is a leading polluter in the world and actively blocking an agreement at Cop15 as we speak.
These games are as important to building Canada's false image in the world as Bejing was to China. Many Canadians who protested China getting the games or were "concerned about China's human rights record" will be supporting these ones.
The Olympics are a colonial tool and are a world event because of colonialism. There should never be another Olympics and yes Sven, I hope that people are able to stop or seriously disrupt these games and unlike your lazy, armchair activist ass I'm doing something about it.
Fri, 2009-12-18 11:27
#15
The Olympics are not a sporting event, they are an ad for Coke, RBC, CTV, PC, etc. There are already world events in every major sport throughout the world. These are usually a little less corporate but that's like saying Winnipeg is a little less cold than Dawson City.
Speaking as a gifted equestrian, I can confirm this POV.
Olympics are fun and Lamaze is awesome but Spruce Meadows is where it's at.
Fri, 2009-12-18 11:46
#16
Thank you Le T that was very informitive and insightful. It's giving me a lot to reflect on.
I really hate how the Olympics seems to be about advertising more than anything.
Fri, 2009-12-18 11:48
#17
You're more than welcome, P4.
Fri, 2009-12-18 12:15
#18
Sven
I really hate how the Olympics seems to be about advertising more than anything.
Would the Olympics be better without advertising? Would they be more "pure" then? Would they even exist?
Fri, 2009-12-18 13:18
#19
*High-fives G.Pie*
My facts may be all messed up. I'm not a car guy but I recall someone telling me NASCAR "used to be about the drivers" Or was it formula 1? doesn't matter. I guess in NASCAR all the cars used to be the exact same. Say 40 cars all the same make all the same parts all the same go fast flames painted on the side. The theory was with the same specs on the car then the race would truely be about the drivers.
NOW it's all different car parts [and of course advertising].
Yes Sven I think the Olympics would be better without advertising. I think it would be more pure too.
Would they even exist today? Probably not.
When I see The US or Russia, GB China or Canada walk away with a fist full of gold medals I don't feel piticularly proud considering the money that goes into training and facilities compared to more-poor countries.
Fri, 2009-12-18 13:23
#20
Boom Boom
The only thing I like about the 2010 Olympics are these protests.
Fri, 2009-12-18 13:41
#21
Sven
Yes Sven I think the Olympics would be better without advertising. I think it would be more pure too. Would they even exist today? Probably not.
So, the Olympics would be "better" and "more pure" but they wouldn't exist.
Interesting.
Fri, 2009-12-18 13:47
#22
reminds me of a book I just read
"Utopia cannot be reached by an imperfect spicies. Mankind is imperfect thus incapable of perfection and a perfect world"
I think the idea of the Olympics is awesome.
In practice it's far less romantic. It's all about money.
A buddy of mine is whistler is renting out his chalet for $1000 a day.
Fri, 2009-12-18 14:19
#23
Sven
A buddy of mine is whistler is renting out his chalet for $1000 a day.
Hey, that's great news for your buddy!! Good for her (or him)...
Fri, 2009-12-18 14:28
#24
I dunno. I found it kinda unethical. Well maybe not even unethical because it's his chalet and he has every right to rent it out, I just find that it's a part of the problem- Olympics is about money and advertising.
Fri, 2009-12-18 14:32
#25
Sven
I dunno. I found it kinda unethical. Well maybe not even unethical because it's his chalet and he has every right to rent it out, I just find that it's a part of the problem- Olympics is about money and advertising.
Well, it's your buddy's property. I don't think anyone should begrudge your buddy for making some extra coin. If someone feels it's worth shelling out one large a day for the chalet, good for your friend.
Fri, 2009-12-18 15:06
#26
Le T
Well, it's your buddy's property. I don't think anyone should begrudge your buddy for making some extra coin. If someone feels it's worth shelling out one large a day for the chalet, good for your friend.
Actually it's not his buddy's property it's untreated land that Canada has no claim to. Not to mention that anyone who "owns" a chalet in whistler needs extra coin like I need an extra appendix. Being a rich man I'm not suprised that you protect the interests of other rich settlers at the expense of the land, human rights, and all the poor people who will be the ones who really pay for this Olympiad.
Fri, 2009-12-18 16:26
#27
Sven
Actually it's not his buddy's property it's untreated land that Canada has no claim to. Not to mention that anyone who "owns" a chalet in whistler needs extra coin like I need an extra appendix. Being a rich man I'm not suprised that you protect the interests of other rich settlers at the expense of the land, human rights, and all the poor people who will be the ones who really pay for this Olympiad.
Isn't your whole country stolen land?
Fri, 2009-12-18 17:00
#28
Le T
Certain areas of the country have treaties which give settlers the right to live in certain areas. These treaties have been somewhat miss-interpreted in some cases and in others have been totally ignored. Specific Land Claims are the result of these treaty violations by settlers. There are literally hundreds of unresolved specific land claims. The governement will not negotiate any claim unless the community negotiating the claim agrees to relinguish "aboriginal title" (a concept made up by canadian courts to denote Indigneous Peoples inherent right to exist on their land and live how they choose) as a first condition.
In 1763 King George (the something) made a Royal Proclaimation that no settlers could live on or purchase land that was not covered by a treaty. They only way for Indigenous nations to sell there land was through a nation-to-nation treaty with the Crown.
BC and most of the North were never treatied. Yet they were obviously settled and the Canadian government "re-located", by force, many communities in the process and settlers moved in illegally (like Palestine and Israel).
So no settler has a right to live in BC. There was never a war won by Canada for the territory (as some people think) and there was never any agreement made. Now that a few years have passed and litterally billions upon billions of dollars of resources have been sold by settlers from these lands, the land can no longer sustain traditional economies, species have been made extinct and Indigenous communities (in many cases) have been moved to tiny reserves with no possiblity of sustaining themselves without the "aid" of the goverment.
Fri, 2009-12-18 17:09
#29
two statements from others here i agree with..
Le T "The Olympics are not a sporting event, they are an ad for Coke, RBC, CTV, PC, etc."
NoDifferencePar... "the Torch parade was a nazi invention and seems to still resonate with those sorts of inclinations."
Fri, 2009-12-18 17:48
#30
Sven
BC and most of the North were never treatied. Yet they were obviously settled and the Canadian government "re-located", by force, many communities in the process and settlers moved in illegally (like Palestine and Israel).
So no settler has a right to live in BC.
I didn't realize that the scope of untreated lands included all of BC. That would mean that Vancouver, for example, shouldn't exist (never mind the occurrence of a relatively transitory event like the Olympics). And, if that's the case, why the hubbub about the Olympics? Shouldn't the call be: "Canada out of Vancouver...and all of BC!!"??
Taking a step back, are even treated lands validly held by Canada? I mean, the treaties weren't exactly negotiations between parties with equal bargaining power.
Fri, 2009-12-18 18:12
#31
Maysie
Sven.
In the past year or so there has been an international focus on Canada and Vancouver, due to the upcoming 2010 spectacle. Various groups supporting aboriginal treaty rights have taken this opportunity, while Canada and Vancouver are in the international media spotlight, to tell the world about injustices in Canada that various Aboriginal groups face.
The problem is not new, and struggles are ongoing, and rarely covered in the MSM.
Why the hubbub? Because this is a unique opportunity.
This affects real people's lives, and has for a few hundred years. Land is everything.
Fri, 2009-12-18 18:22
#32
Canada out of BC.
I think it's time to look past the land treaty issue and address some real problems like suicide, alcoholisim, corruption, unemployment.
The land treaty who was here first (europeans) is going no where. :ets get the homeless a roof over their heads and the unemployed jobs.
Okay the torch was diverted or disrupted. How much money is coca-cola loosing over that? How does that give land back to FN people?
Fri, 2009-12-18 18:30
#33
Refuge
Taking a step back, are even treated lands validly held by Canada? I mean, the treaties weren't exactly negotiations between parties with equal bargaining power.
and even if we pretend for a moment they were validly bargained for those bargains that were made were rarely followed through on - money's not paid and encroachments on lands that was not meant for settlers - and this would have nulified most contracts / treaties with first nations.
Fri, 2009-12-18 18:44
#34
Refuge
Canada out of BC.
I think it's time to look past the land treaty issue and address some real problems like suicide, alcoholisim, corruption, unemployment.
The land treaty who was here first (europeans) is going no where. :ets get the homeless a roof over their heads and the unemployed jobs.
Okay the torch was diverted or disrupted. How much money is coca-cola loosing over that? How does that give land back to FN people?
The point of the anti olympics movement to do with first nations is not meant to address alcoholism, suicide, unemployment etc. If you would like to discuss those issues they can be taken to another topic where we can discuss the services that are meant to service first nations people in those areas.
The point of the anti olympics movement also does not deal with directly getting land back - there are many threads on organizations that do this on this board if you would like to discuss that on this board.
The point of the anti olympic movement is to raise awareness of the issues that are aggravated by the olympics like the oppression of the homeless in the city it is taking place in, the environmental impact and the land rights issues plus other problems that happen because of the olympics. I think they are being somewhat successful at raising awareness from comments made on this board.
Fri, 2009-12-18 18:45
#35
Great posts, Refuge - kick off your shoes and stay a while!
Fri, 2009-12-18 18:53
#36
??
Fri, 2009-12-18 18:54
#37
BC and most of the North were never treatied. Yet they were obviously settled and the Canadian government "re-located", by force, many communities in the process and settlers moved in illegally (like Palestine and Israel).
So no settler has a right to live in BC.
I didn't realize that the scope of untreated lands included all of BC. That would mean that Vancouver, for example, shouldn't exist (never mind the occurrence of a relatively transitory event like the Olympics). And, if that's the case, why the hubbub about the Olympics? Shouldn't the call be: "Canada out of Vancouver...and all of BC!!"??
Taking a step back, are even treated lands validly held by Canada? I mean, the treaties weren't exactly negotiations between parties with equal bargaining power.
Sometimes it is really interesting to watch the under the bridge action. Especially the walk the line event in the trolling category.
I find your feigned stupidity to be disruptive of actual dialogue.
___________________________________________
Soothsayers had a better record of prediction than economists
Fri, 2009-12-18 19:05
#38
Sven
I find your feigned stupidity to be disruptive of actual dialogue.
Fine.
Here's a free piece of advice for you: Ignore it then.
Fri, 2009-12-18 19:18
#39
Boom Boom
The point of the anti olympic movement is to raise awareness of the issues that are aggravated by the olympics like the oppression of the homeless in the city it is taking place in, the environmental impact and the land rights issues plus other problems that happen because of the olympics. I think they are being somewhat successful at raising awareness from comments made on this board.
Excellent - and my second favourite post of the day.
Fri, 2009-12-18 21:47
#40
Le T
Sometimes it is really interesting to watch the under the bridge action. Especially the walk the line event in the trolling category.
At first I was pissed at Sven too. But the ignorance that he either feigns or comes by honestly is not that far off most settler people that have not taken it upon themselves to study our history on Turtle Island - progressive or not. I think that, as some have mentioned, the importance of the anti-Olympic action is its educative value. So maybe I'm feeding a troll but babble is not exactly the "go to spot" for anti-colonial analysis so maybe it's helpful to rehash the basics of canadian history a few more times.
I didn't realize that the scope of untreated lands included all of BC. That would mean that Vancouver, for example, shouldn't exist (never mind the occurrence of a relatively transitory event like the Olympics). And, if that's the case, why the hubbub about the Olympics? Shouldn't the call be: "Canada out of Vancouver...and all of BC!!"??
Here's something that a lot of us settler people seem to have problems understanding: we are not being asked to leave and since we arrived have been welcomed rather warmly. When Europeans arrived on this land they were met with some of the most progressive immigration policies the world has ever seen. Perhaps it is the logic that drives our immigration system that leads so many of us to believe that the only alternative to colonialism is for "all of us to go back to where we came from".
Taking a step back, are even treated lands validly held by Canada? I mean, the treaties weren't exactly negotiations between parties with equal bargaining power.
Actually many of the treaties were negotiations between parties with equal bargaining power. It was by not following these binding international treaties (a tradition that has continued in canada to include Kyoto) that Canada was able to weaken Indigenous communities. The treaties are also more complex than the way that the Canadian government tends to interpret them. It is important to remember that there is an oral tradition element to the treaties as well as the fancy-writing-old-eglishy things we see on the INAC website. Conveniently, residential schools dealt a pretty serious blow to many oral traditions and hegemony has lead us to believe that the written word is more valid than oral tradition.
There are still people who carry the stories of many of the treaties, especially some of the more recent treaties, like the Numbered Treaties on the prairies. There are also academics who (unlike so many anthropologists) are trained in both oral tradition and academic scholarship now writting down some of these accounts so us book-centric folk can better understand what the treaties are actually about.
Sat, 2009-12-19 09:22
#41
"settler people"
Move on, make a life for yourself, stop blaming the settler people, what happened here has happened everywhere, throughout the history of the world, you are fortunate to live in a place that allows you to treat it so disrespectfully. I dont care about the olympics, but if you honestly believe that these actions will improve your chances of seeing this land returned you are fooling yourself.
The history of this world is filled with conquests much more violent then this country's, you have treaties? sure, treaties signed when the world was limitless in the minds of most, unrealistic for this world, my ancestors were kicked off thier land, ruled by tyrants, you name it, why is that different? It isnt. Move on, make a life for yourself, join the rest of us, i'd bet large that i grew up more impoverished than most of your people, we didn't have the option of protesting, we made a life for ourselves in this world.
Why isn't that good enough for you?
Sat, 2009-12-19 11:29
#42
remind
Love that banner with the eagle posted in the opening post, do you know who the artist is Le T?
And thanks for being so patient and informative.
Sat, 2009-12-19 13:00
#43
Le T
Move on, make a life for yourself, stop blaming the settler people, what happened here has happened everywhere, throughout the history of the world, you are fortunate to live in a place that allows you to treat it so disrespectfully. I dont care about the olympics, but if you honestly believe that these actions will improve your chances of seeing this land returned you are fooling yourself.
The history of this world is filled with conquests much more violent then this country's, you have treaties? sure, treaties signed when the world was limitless in the minds of most, unrealistic for this world, my ancestors were kicked off thier land, ruled by tyrants, you name it, why is that different? It isnt. Move on, make a life for yourself, join the rest of us, i'd bet large that i grew up more impoverished than most of your people, we didn't have the option of protesting, we made a life for ourselves in this world.
Why isn't that good enough for you?
I don't know who you're yelling at. Like most ignorant rants yours doesn't seem to make much sense. I don't know why you have so much anger directed at Indigenous Peoples in canada but I would suggest that you do some very basic research before you open your mouth and rant.
You don't have to feel so guity about being a settler, you just have to be responsible and educate yourself. Do you know what your treaty rights and responsibilities are?
Sat, 2009-12-19 13:09
#44
Le T
Love that banner with the eagle posted in the opening post, do you know who the artist is Le T?
No I don't know who the artist is. It is the logo of the no2010 coalition. You could ask them (no2010.com). I think it also might be a Thunderbird but again ask the no2010 folk via the website.
Sat, 2009-12-19 14:36
#45
remind
It is a Thunderbird, just noticed the lightening.
Will contact them...
Sat, 2009-12-19 15:30
#46
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra refuses to play in the opening ceremonies.
Sat, 2009-12-19 15:33
#47
Le T
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra refuses to play in the opening ceremonies.
I hardly see how the VSO's refusal to play is in any way related to resistance against the Olympic on social justice grounds. They are heavily involved in the Olympics and wil most likely be making a pretty buck off 'em.
Sat, 2009-12-19 15:59
#48
dan kellar
Love that banner with the eagle posted in the opening post, do you know who the artist is Le T?
No I don't know who the artist is. It is the logo of the no2010 coalition. You could ask them (no2010.com). I think it also might be a Thunderbird but again ask the no2010 folk via the website.
Zig Zag is the artist on that one. if you like the art, come out to the demo against the torch in KW on the 27th!! there will be lots of art there!!
dan kellar
------------------
peaceculture.org
beingthechange.ca
Sat, 2009-12-19 17:04
#49
remind
Thanks, dan.....
would love to attend, but cannot get to ON from here and the torch does not go through here until January the somethingth and i doubt any news media will be covering it, maybe the local entertainment society will.
Sat, 2009-12-19 17:14
#50
Refuge
Thanks for the Welcome back of sorts Unuionist and Boom Boom. I had some friends who participated and they told me it was in their minds successful. I went to the spirit train protest last year and found there were people who had never heard the other side and first hand witness peoples appreciation that someone was out there promoting ALL the facts not just the ones that are wanted to be reported.
Sat, 2009-12-19 17:20
#51
"settler people"
Move on, make a life for yourself, stop blaming the settler people, what happened here has happened everywhere, throughout the history of the world, you are fortunate to live in a place that allows you to treat it so disrespectfully. I dont care about the olympics, but if you honestly believe that these actions will improve your chances of seeing this land returned you are fooling yourself.
The history of this world is filled with conquests much more violent then this country's, you have treaties? sure, treaties signed when the world was limitless in the minds of most, unrealistic for this world, my ancestors were kicked off thier land, ruled by tyrants, you name it, why is that different? It isnt. Move on, make a life for yourself, join the rest of us, i'd bet large that i grew up more impoverished than most of your people, we didn't have the option of protesting, we made a life for ourselves in this world.
Why isn't that good enough for you?
Yarg your post is blatently racist and supremist. If there's anything like this again you're out of here. Also, don't post on this again and don't post in the aboriginal Issues forum.