2010 Olympic Promotional Event Disrupted

"On March 8, 2009, a promotional event for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Aboriginal torch bearers was disrupted in Toronto by 2010 Solidarity. Here is a video link to the action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUuCCGDff0M

VANOC, AFN Press Conference DISRUPTED in Toronto

March 8th 2009:

[AFN Head] Phil Fontaine confronted!

In memory of Harriet Nahanee. No Olympics on Stolen Native Land!

The Assembly of First Nations is at the Intercontinental Hotel to promote the Olympics and make deals with its corporate sponsors. But, grassroots movements in indigenous communities are saying no to the Olympics. They see their land being irreparably damaged by expanding Olympic developments.

The Olympics have brought a frenzy of development to [British Columbia] - the Olympics are the new gold rush bringing displacement and destruction to indigenous communities and culture. The Province of BC was carved out of land that was never surrendered by the indigenous peoples, and was never part of any treaty. Today, most of the province remains as unceded land. Despite this, the government continues to sell, lease and allow development on Native land for mining, logging, oil & gas, ski resorts, and other industries.

The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) has gone to great lengths to hide the negative impacts that the Olympics will have on indigenous peoples, by obscuring the facts on their participation in these games. VANOC would suggest that participation means appropriating and marketing indigenous imagery and culture, and also making a series of multi-million dollar business deals that funnel money through Band Councils."

ORIGINAL SOURCE: No Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics On Stolen Native Land