Gender

Human trafficking set to increase for 2010 Games
Tue Feb. 10 2009
ctvbc.ca

One year from now, people from around the world will gather in Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

But as the final plans for Thursday's countdown celebrations are
ironed out -- some fear Vancouver will be welcoming more than just
athletes and fans. There is a concern that human trafficking is set to
increase. And one group is taking action.

Major Brian Venables of the Salvation Army opens the door to room 712 of its latest safe house.

VANCOUVER 2010: 'IT'S NOT A GAME'
Poverty Olympics spotlight Downtown Eastside
February 9, 2009

VANCOUVER -- They have their own Olympic mascots - Itchy the Bedbug, Creepy the Cockroach and Chewy the Rat - their own torch, made from a toilet plunger, and a catchy marketing phrase: "End poverty. It's not a game."

But what the Poverty Olympics doesn't have is money - and that was the main point being underscored yesterday by a celebration/protest march through the Downtown Eastside.

"And Then Let's Go For That Justice" Part II
Indigenous women demand respect in Ottawa

by Maya Rolbin-Ghanie

The Dominion - http://www.dominionpaper.ca

The February 14 memorial march in Vancouver's Downtown East Side is held annually to remember and honour missing women and support their families and friends. Photo: Dawn Paley

In honour of missing and murdered indigenous women, the Walk4Justice began in Vancouver on June 21, Aboriginal Day, and ended with a rally of about 250 on Parliament Hill on September 15.

"And Then Let's Go for that Justice" Part I
The Walk4Justice

by Maya Rolbin-Ghanie

The Dominion - http://www.dominionpaper.ca

Some of the many Indigenous women and men who walked across Canada to draw attention to systemic abuses against First Nations women. Photo: Maya Rolbin-Ghanie

This article is part one of two on the Walk4Justice.

This past summer, myself and friends were able to "tour" many of the projects in the Athabasca mining region and south of Fort McMurray (one of many places) where SagD/In Situ operations rule the day. These are albums belatedly created from that trip. This does not comprise anything remotely coming towards an exhaustive set of the multiple projects.

(you do not need to have a Facebook identity to see these albums).

Photos are from the land and the air.

Opti-Nexen's Long Lake (North) Project & CP's Surmont Project.

CANADA: Native Rights Concerns Cloud 2010 Games
By Jon Elmer

VANCOUVER, Dec 1 (IPS) - A coalition of indigenous elders, social
justice activists and community organisers is voicing opposition to
the upcoming Winter Olympics, promising to continue their protests up
to and throughout the 2010 games.

Taking advantage of a three-day media briefing hosted by the official
Olympic body in late November, the Vancouver Organising Committee
(VANOC), activists and native representatives invited the local and

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Activists met in Vancouver Sunday to talk strategy around
resisting the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

While opposition to the Games has been steady since before Vancouver won
them in 2003, protests are usually connected to a single of the many issues
around them.

But dozens gathered at the one-day conference to focus on converging
Canada's diverse activist community under one banner for the Games.

"It's important to use to connect with each other," said conference
participant Phillipa Ryan.

"Our humanity needs to be respected."

Protesters block rail line hoping to halt Olympic Spirit Train
Canadian Press // October 12, 2008 at 7:55 PM EDT

VAUGHAN, Ont. - Protesters say they have barricaded a rail line north of Toronto in hopes of stopping CP Rail's Olympic Spirit Train.

Protester Dan Keller says about 20 non-violent activists have assembled on the rail line with one woman having chained herself to the tracks.

At this time, York Region police are monitoring the situation.