Dharm Makwana

Olympic protestors from Eastern Canada have touched down in the Olympic city, according to the head of Games security.

“I have information that there is at least one group from Eastern Canada that’s here, that’s looking to participate on the 12th and 13th,” Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit chief Bud Mercer told reporters on Friday.

Mercer added there’s no intelligence indicating anti-Olympic groups have arrived from south of the border.

Vancouver Deputy Chief Const. Steve Sweeney, who joined Mercer at the morning briefing, said police estimate between 1,000 to 1,500 people would participate in protests during the first days of the Winter Games.

Sweeney acknowledged potential for a small number of protesters seeking to disrupt the opening ceremonies and torch relay by embedding themselves in larger, more peaceful, activist groups.

“There’s always issues where there will be a small element that may be interested in mischievous activity,” Sweeney said. “But that’s day-in-the-life for us in policing demonstrations.”

Vancouver police cover about 175 demonstrations within the city annually, according to Sweeney, and have used that experience to develop plans for unlawful disruptions during the Games.

“If they’re going to attempt to disrupt the [torch relay] route we’d likely be able to deal with that,” he said.

Sweeney said protesters are allowed to express opposing viewpoints on public space with placards, should they desire, as long as the signs are not used as weapons.
Protesters, however, must respect the rights of others who are there for the festivities.

“You can’t interfere with other people’s lawful rights,” he said. “You can’t obstruct other people from engaging in what they’re lawfully entitled to do as well.”

Members of the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit have visited all Olympic venues and surrounding areas and made note of public areas fit for demonstrations.

“If there’s a park across the street we’ve done nothing more complicated than go back to the city and to VANOC and said, ‘Have you got a plan for it?’ If they have no plan for it and it’s going to be left for a green space and a public space we move on,” Mercer said. “We’ve done our job.

“[The spaces] won’t be branded, [they] won’t be painted, there won’t be a fence, there won’t be tickets. I’ve heard permits [and] I’ve heard all kinds of non-sense. I don’t know where it comes from but it’s not factual.

“It exists. Use it if you choose. If you don’t choose to I really don’t care. I can’t be any clearer.”