Police outline rules for Olympic protesters
Posted February 5, 2010 12:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – From soccer moms to anarchists, up to 1,500 demonstrators are expected when the Olympic Games begin a week from today. The police have laid down the rules for what they will and will not allow protesters to do.
Both the RCMP and Vancouver Police say they want to make it very clear they have nothing against lawful, peaceful demonstrations that do not keep other people from enjoying normal lawful activities.
However, Vancouver Deputy Police Chief Steve Sweeney says they have plans for protestors who don’t know what the ‘no-no’s’ are after some anti-Olympic activists have pledged to do their best to disrupt the Games. “It depends on what they mean by disruption, again if they’re going to tackle the torchbearer, that’s unlawful.”
Sweeney says police won’t let demonstrators block the path of the Olympic torch either. Special areas have been set aside at most venues where demonstrators can vent whatever they want.
