26 February Security & Protest Update - XXI Winter Olympics

[grawp]

Good afternoon, everyone.

Here is the 26 February 2010 Security & Protest Update for the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.
All entries are courtesy of the US State Department's Diplomatic Security/ Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), unless otherwise noted.

Enjoy!

grawp

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February 26, 2010

In this Issue:
• Update: Road Closures on February 28
• 147 Olympic Food Vendors Fail Inspections
• Vancouver Prepares for Post-Games Exodus
• Anti-Olympic Protest Arrest
• Protestors Drive up Olympic Crime Rate
• Upcoming Protest Activity
• OSAC Contact Information


Update: Road Closures on February 28

The City of Vancouver has released an updated road closure list for the Men’s Gold Medal Hockey Game and Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, February 28. In addition to existing pedestrian corridors on Robson and Granville Streets, Beatty Street (from Smithe to Dunsmuir streets) will be closed all day and the Hamilton/Mainland Corridor will be closed from 11:00 a.m. to midnight. The city will close the Cambie Street Bridge and Cambie Street from 8:00 a.m. to midnight. For more information on additional road closures and other driving restrictions, please visit the Host City of Vancouver website.

Closing ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on February 28 and spectators are asked to be in their seats by 4:30 p.m. Gates to BC Place will open at 1:30 p.m.

(Source: Host City of Vancouver)


147 Olympic Food Vendors Fail Inspections

The Vancouver Health Authority has issued warnings to more than one-third of the 424 food operations serving the Vancouver 2010 Games in Richmond, Vancouver, Cyprus Bowl in Vancouver, and Whistler for various health regulatory violations. Of the 147 noncompliant food operations, 38 percent were cited for “potentially hazardous food” concerns, including failure to maintain food at sufficiently low or high temperatures. The food operations include temporary facilities that serve the public and other Olympic-related audiences, including media, dignitaries, and other workers. On average, some 35 food inspectors visited Olympic food venues three times during February.

(Source: Vancouver Sun)





Vancouver Prepares for Post-Games Exodus

The Canada Line will operate all night following the end of Closing Ceremonies, with trains running every six minutes from downtown Vancouver to the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The extended operating hours will allow Translink to spread out the number of people traveling to YVR, which is anticipating 40,000 passengers to fly out on Monday, March 1. YVR officials are still advising passengers to check into their flight online before heading to the airport, and to arrive four hours prior to their departure time.
The City of Vancouver will keep most road closures in place on Monday to facilitate the exodus of Olympic spectators and BC Ferries are adding additional sailings to help get Vancouver Island residents home.

(Source: CBC)


Anti-Olympic Protest Arrest

Vancouver police have arrested a 19-year old local protestor for allegedly spitting on police officers during the “Take Back Our City” protest which occurred on February 12. The suspect, who was arrested in the 800-block of Granville on February 24, has been charged with three counts of assaulting a police officer. Police have arrested 12 people in connection with vandalism and other criminal activity that occurred during the February 12 protest and the February 13 “Heart Attack March”.

(Source: Vancouver Sun)


Protestors Drive up Olympic Crime Rate

Since the beginning of the Olympic Games, violent crime in Vancouver has jumped 17 percent compared to the same period last year. Police attribute the sudden rise in violent crime to anti-Olympic protests that occurred during the first week of the Games. Vancouver crime data recorded 11 alleged police assaults, 10 of which stemmed from anti-Olympic and anarchist protests on February 12 and 13. The crime data also showed a 291 percent increase in reported fights which were largely attributable to excessive alcohol consumption. Despite the increase in violent crime data, police have also recorded a 46 percent drop in breaking and entering, a 37 percent drop in theft from vehicles, and a 16 percent drop in total property crime.

(Source: CTV, CBC)


Upcoming Protest Activity

Critical Mass Bike Ride (February 26)
• On the last Friday of every month, cyclists gather at the Vancouver Art Gallery (W. Georgia St. site, 6:00 p.m.) and ride through the streets of Vancouver
• Regular event which is scheduled to take place despite Olympics

Red Tent: The Olympic Wrap-up Action (February 27)
• Red Tent organizers have reportedly called on participants to descend on the Canada Pavilion at 12:00 p.m. on February 27
• Event participants are encouraged to be “peaceful, loud, creative and relentless” and are asked to bring a paint brush
• Participants plan to meet at Keefer and Abbott and march to Canada Pavilion at Dunsmuir and Beatty

Pirates of Justice Flash Mob (February 27)
• A group known as Pirates of Justice is organizing a demonstration to draw attention to working conditions for employees on cruise ships
• The event is scheduled to take place on February 27 at 12:00 p.m.
• Participants are reportedly instructed to meet across from Canada Place, near the fountain located outside the food court
• Previous activity from this group has been festive in nature and occurred near Canada Place

Games Over! Resistance Lives! (February 28)
• Demonstration scheduled to take place at the intersection of Smithe and Cambie streets from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Event advertised as a “noisy public festival to celebrate our communities and our resistance”

OSAC would like to remind constituents that additional protest and demonstration activity may take place sporadically during the remainder of the Games. Potential rally points may include the Vancouver Art Gallery and the Tent City near E Hastings and Abbott. Constituents are encouraged to report any demonstration activity they observe.

(Sources: Activist websites, YouTube.com, twitter, facebook, OSAC and Constituent reporting)