Seven arrests made during violent anti-Olympic protest in Vancouver
Posted February 13, 2010 2:11 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – For all of Saturday morning and part of the afternoon, Vancouver Police and the Integrated Security Unit clashed with a group of more than 200 violent masked protesters downtown. They marched throughout the downtown core, kicking and causing damage to numerous cars and businesses. Windows at the Hudson’s Bay store on the corner of Granville and Georgia were smashed.
Vancouver Police Chief Jim Chu says seven protesters were arrested. “We will be examining a number of charges including possession of a dangerous weapon, including assault, including damage to property. No police officers were significantly hurt and we’ve checked with the ambulance service, no protesters were hurt today.”
Some windows are covered in spray paint while newspaper boxes were tossed into the streets. Protesters were throwing objects and spitting at officers dressed in full riot gear, they even harassed pedestrians nearby. RCMP Air 1 was dispatched as well as the Integrated Security Forces chopper.
Chu says there is a rising criminal element in the protests and is assuring officers will be out in full force in the coming days.
Meanwhile over at Canada Place, it looks like security has been stepped up surrounding the Olympic cauldron. Metal barricades have been set up and whether they are meant to keep protesters away is unclear, but it is definite the fences are meant for general crowd control.
