Protesters at the Vancouver 2010 Games set up a small tent town in Vancouver’s downtown Monday to draw attention to the city’s homelessness problem. The demonstration began as a rally in Pigeon Park and was surrounded by the international news media. Participants then erected a number of tents to serve as both a statement and temporary solution, reports CTV.
The gathering was part of the Red Tent campaign, a national movement advocating a federal housing strategy.
Local activists were also present, calling for an end to high-end condo development in the area.
There was another protest Monday morning but this time it was sanctioned by police. Members of the Red Tent campaign unfurled a 14-metre banner off the Cambie Bridge that read “Homes for All”. The banner was then lowered and later removed without incident.
The International Olympic Committee says it’s hoping Games organizers can find a way to get rid of a fence in front of the Olympic Cauldron, reports the Canadian Press. Rene Fasel, the IOC member overseeing the 2010 Games, says he doesn’t like it any more than the public that a chain link fence sits in front of the icon, and raised the issue with Vancouver 2010 officials.
Fasel said, “it’s really attracting people and people are so excited to go there and make the pictures. And I think we have to speak with VANOC and try to find a solution where we can satisfy people”.
The cauldron is reportedly fenced in because it’s sitting on a plaza inside a secure zone for the media broadcast centre.
Renee Smith-Valade, a spokesperson for Vancouver 2010, said discussions between VANOC and the RCMP-led security team for the Games were continuing.
Meanwhile there has been criticism that English has been the dominant language during the Games in bilingual Canada, especially at the Opening Ceremony Friday.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest said he did not believe the ceremony had focused enough on the French language and culture, but he praised other efforts by organizers such as signs in both languages.
John Furlong, CEO of Vancouver 2010, in defending the ceremony and efforts that have been made to present a bilingual Games said, “the show that was presented was the celebration of many led by an extraordinary talented producer and artistic director who put together a show that was intended to work at multiple levels and I think he did a great job of telling a great Canadian story to the world”.
He added, “we have assembled here in Vancouver thousands of volunteers from French Canada who are here to deliver bilingual services to the people who have come here from around the world”.
