Feb 10
13

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly

17 Comments

Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms reads as follows:

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.

Be proud of your beliefs.  Stand up and make your voice be heard.  Gather together, march for your cause, and sing your allegiances. 

But to hide behind the anonymity of a balaclava while wrecking havoc in the pursuit of your cause lessens the cause you are so desperately trying to support.

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Posted in Uncategorized by Sandra 17 Comments

17 Responses to "Freedom of Peaceful Assembly"

  • Chris says:
    February 13, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I grew up in the protest era (the 1960′s).
    I protested the nuclear bomb, the Vietnam war,racial inequities, on and on.
    The students in the school I went o even protested the fact that the janitors got locked out by management (it was the times!)
    If you do not have the courage to stand in front of people with your beliefs (not in masks) you are not a protester. You are an anarchist.
    If you resort to violence, you are not a protester. You are an anarchist.
    Do these individuals even live in Vancouver?
    I have no idea who these individuals represent or what they believe in. They are hiding behind balaclavas and black clothing.
    It appears their reason for existence is to fight and create instability in this City.

  • Ann T. Hathaway says:
    February 13, 2010 at 5:14 pm

    Dear Sandra,
    I had to turn to the news to get the details. They were “blocking the arteries of capitalism”, I hear. Such tired rhetoric in a balaclava–they aren’t communists, socialists, or even anarchists. They’re just awful.

    It’s a fact that modern combatants worldwide use the language of grievance to justify the depredations they make. But we need not be fooled by their language, especially such a thin blabbery as this.

    Stay alert, and safe if at all possible, both you and PS Hondo.
    And
    Best wishes and prayers for protection to the Vancouver PD and the RCMP in the coming days.

    Sincerely,
    Ann T.

  • Kelly says:
    February 14, 2010 at 6:11 am

    I’ve watched the opening ceremony on TV and am following the games. It’s sad to see some people feeling the need to hide and destroy in a country where violence isn’t a necessity to defend and use your rights. For some, the Olympics appears to be a good excuse to wreck a few buildings and spoil the organization of an event where fair-play and international gathering are the most important.

  • Sandra says:
    February 14, 2010 at 11:07 am

    Well said, everyone.

  • Nic says:
    February 14, 2010 at 12:18 pm

    I feel like I’m stuck in the middle of an 80′s football game. Who on earth riots at the Olympic games!?! I’m all for freedom of speech but these morons aren’t protestors… they’re violent criminals jumping on a bandwagon so they can have a fight.

    The Int’l media saw right through one chick who tried to say she was just a peaceful protestor. “So why do you have a mask around your neck?”. She didn’t know where to look. I couldn’t believe the blokes the media caught changing clothes and the reporter saying that the ‘head guy’ had offered NOT to pepper spray them. What!?!?!?

    They’re nothing but a bunch of anarchist amoebas there for one reason and it’s NOT to protest the Olympics. They do the same thing during Stanley Cup, Grey Cup and any international conference or event. They’re just selfish idiots out for as much attention as they can get and to cause as much grief and destruction as possible. I bet they’re not even from Vancouver.

    Almost makes me glad I’m off work…. almost. :(

    I hope everyone can get through the next two weeks without someone getting hurt.

  • Brook says:
    February 14, 2010 at 12:30 pm

    It is unfortunate that the peaceful protesters couldn’t walk away when they saw what this small group was doing. It would make it so much more difficult for the criminal element to hide in the crowd. For all the mayhem they are creating the world is watching Vancouver to see the athletes compete and may at most say “shame on them” if they see the riot on the news.

  • Sandra says:
    February 14, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    You know the general citizens of Vancouver are fed up with the violent protests when they cheer upon the arrival of the police.

  • Jeff says:
    February 14, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Personally I would like to see the police immediately crack down on them and anyone else who protested what they do. I doubt very much that these jerks would be back to protest again if they suffered a broken arm or an ankle or inflamed eyes from a good clear capsicum spray the first time out, (and if they did make it back, their slings, limps or inflamed red eyes would m,make them easy arrest targets no matter what kind of mask they tried to hide behind . . . )

    To hell with the weak kneed secondary protesters who would attack the police after the fact. You weren’t there and you didn’t see the whole picture nor did anyone spit at you through your TV screen. No one smashed your windows or spray painted your car did they?

    These protesters are low life/no life failures in life and act out there weaknesses with mob violence. No guts to go one on one with a real person . . . .

  • Gary L. says:
    February 14, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    Just middle class whiners, hijacking what sincere people have organized. Because of these whelps, the message of the legit Protesters was lost.
    One day, perhaps one of THEIR offspring will rise to Olympic status……..
    Just imagine the dialogue, on their big day!
    “Good luck with your Figure Skating Son/Daughter, sorry I’ll miss your performance, but I have to shufle down to The Bay and throw a lawn chair through the window”.

    Cheers

  • Another Chris says:
    February 14, 2010 at 1:41 pm

    The second these protests turn violent and people start vandalizing the police should come down on them with everything they have.

    I understand the city and the police don’t want to look like the bad guy in the eyes of the world, but seriously, this should not be tolerated. The police need to send a message that these kind of actions will not go unpunished. Sure you will have the small (but loud) group of people who argue the police are being too heavy handed, but in the end the majority of people will agree that the police did the right thing.

    I hope the next time I see coverage of these “protestors” on tv, they are being put in the back of a wagon.

  • Chris says:
    February 14, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    I think what is needed right now is an army of grannies wearing red mittens:)
    They can cuff these badly behaved little children over the head and send them into a corner.
    Those of us who live in Vancouver want nothing other than a peaceful Olympics.

  • Nic says:
    February 14, 2010 at 4:31 pm

    All things considered, I thought the VPD looked very good on the TV in the way they were seen responding. This city has a media which is very anti-police so I’m certain every police force involved in these Games is extremely aware of that. I thought the Brits were bad with politicians but here it’s bloody terrible. So it was a very nice surprise all around to see a very pro-police city for once. I don’t think there are too many people impressed with the antics of these baffoons even if they themselves are not fans of the Olympics/Police. Of course the riot is on youtube…..

  • DC says:
    February 14, 2010 at 5:10 pm

    I admire the police restraint in recognizing the difference between the protesters exercising their charter rights and the criminals smashing windows. The right to protest is the lifeblood of a democracy.

    I’m reminded of protests about a year ago in another western country where some police were the ones wearing balaclavas and were anonymous because they had deliberately removed or covered up identifying insignia…or the police response to the election protests in Iran.

    You guys did an amazing job and it makes me proud to be Canadian and proud of Canadian policing. I’m glad the public has shown you that respect back and cheered for you.

  • Jon says:
    February 15, 2010 at 8:21 am

    I generally have little problem with protesters (annoyed at them when they distrupt what I’m trying to do or where I’m trying to go but it’s the same annoyance as when there’s unexpected construction on my drive) but soon as a protest turns violent then I have no patience for them and believe the Police should come down hard on the violent ones. The protesters that just want the peaceful protest should photograph, videotap and rat out any and all violent thugs in thier midsts. This would make them look better and make the job the Police have easier.

  • Ed Skinner says:
    February 16, 2010 at 6:35 am

    You’re doin’ good, VPD. Hang in there.

  • slamdunk says:
    February 16, 2010 at 7:02 am

    There is never a perfect way to handle those incidents. You all are doing fantastic–keep up the good work.

  • Christopher says:
    February 16, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    To be honest, I wish I was there with you. And not only because it’s balmy in BC and freezing in Chicago. That’s some police work going on there.

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