2009-06-09
More than a dozen anti-Olympic activists and critics were contacted by intelligence officers from the Vancouver Integrated Security Unit (VISU) for the 2010 Olympic Games, from June 3 – 5, 2009. The Olympic Resistance Network and other groups are again asking VISU to stop harassing individual members and are preparing a legal letter to VISU to cease such intimidating visitations. The visits and phone calls were carried out by at least 8 members of the Joint Intelligence Group of VISU who asked activists about specifics around anti-Olympics activities. The plain clothes intelligence officers conducted surprise visits at people’s homes and workplaces, or in public places. “This is a clear effort to intimidate and monitor people who have concerns about the negative impacts of the Games on our communities,” explains Cara Fisher.
“This is not about dialogue, this was clearly aimed at intimidation. They knew where we lived, worked and even where someone went for coffee. They showed up at these places and intimidated our neighbours and co-workers and in some cases would not leave when asked,” said Harjap Grewal. “It is unnerving to think that because we speak out about free speech and the damage of the Games, there are intelligence officers spying on people’s homes and workplaces and harassing people on the street.”
Prior to this blitz of visitations, VISU officers have been visiting Olympic critics around BC, in Vancouver, Victoria and on Indigenous reserves. There have been unidentified police observing the public at City Hall, community meetings and educational events. Over a dozen people were contacted in the months prior to these latest VISU visits.
The Olympic Resistance Network denounces the continued harassment of activists and the efforts of the City of Vancouver and VISU to restrict the public’s legal right to speak out and demonstrate against the impacts of the 2010 Olympic Games. These latest tactics are further evidence of the $1 billion dollar 2010 surveillance and security apparatus.