Optional "free-speech zones" and 950+ security cameras during Games

[mr.x]

‘Free-speech’ zones to be in place for Olympics

By Darah Hansen, Canwest News Service
July 7, 2009 7:36 PM

Protesters who take to the streets during the 2010 Olympic Games will not be interrupted by authorities so long as the demonstrations remain “peaceful” and law-abiding, the head of the Games’ integrated security unit said.

In fact, police are working to establish special “free-speech” zones in the city, similar to what was done in Quebec City during the Francophonie Summit last year.

“It [the free-speech area] was well used, at least it was when I walked past,” said security unit assistant commissioner Bud Mercer, who introduced the idea at a security briefing before Vancouver city council Tuesday.

Mercer said the proposed Vancouver zones would give protesters a safe and visible stage to be seen and “well heard.”

“People who are involved in lawful protest frankly don’t have to use it. That is their decision,” he added.

Among other security details released, Mercer said more than 900 security cameras have been rented in order to monitor public activities around Olympic venues.

None of the cameras will remain after the Games.

“We don’t own them and frankly we don’t want them,” he said.

In addition, another 50 to 70 security cameras will be installed along the Granville entertainment strip and other downtown areas that will host various outdoor events during the Games.

Whether those cameras — purchased at a cost of about $2 million — remain post-Games will require a decision by council.
© copyright (c) CNS Olympics




Call for constitutional committment

By BOB MACKIN, 24 HOURS

COPE Coun. Ellen Woodsworth is challenging Mayor Gregor Robertson - who chairs the Vancouver Police Board - and council to endorse the Coventry Declaration.

Delegates at last month's Play the Game sport and society conference in Coventry, England agreed to ask Canadian governments, VANOC and the RCMP to commit to guarding freedom of expression and security of the person during the 2010 Winter Olympics. The declaration was a reaction to plainclothes Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit members approaching anti-Olympics activists at their homes and near their workplaces.

"(Vancouver) has many people that have fled countries where they don't have the right of freedom of expression and I don't want us to be reduced to a city that behaves as Beijing did during the Olympics," Woodsworth said.
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The Chinese capital declared three parks protest zones during the 2008 Summer Games. No permits were issued and two senior citizens who asked to protest were jailed.

Protest zones - or "free speech areas" - are planned near the Pacific Coliseum and Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Centre, which are in civic parks.

Woodsworth said it is a coincidence that her motion is on the agenda for Tuesday's meeting, which includes an update on security planning.






Vancouver Olympics to have 900-plus security cameras around venues

Vancouver Sun
July 7, 2009 6:37 PM

VANCOUVER — More than 900 security cameras will be used to monitor public activities around Olympic venues during the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, the head of the Games' integtrated security unit said.

But none of the cameras will remain after the Games, said RCMP assistant commissioner Bud Mercer.

"We don’t own them and frankly we don't want them," Mercer told Vancouver city council in a security briefing.

The 900-plus cameras operated by the ISU will be in addition to 50 to 70 security cameras the Vancouver police will install along the Granville entertainment strip and other downtown areas that will host various outdoor events during the Games.

Whether those cameras — purchased at a cost of $2 million — remain post-Games will require a decision by council.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun