Violence Detracts from Legitimate Olympic Protests

(Aired on February 15, 2010)

A civil liberties advocate is concerned Saturday's protests in Vancouver may have diverted the message away from legitimate protesters taking advantage of the world spotlight for the Olympic Games. You think?

Legitimate protesters who have legitimate concerns are now in the unenviable position of losing their momentum on the world stage after 200 protesters smashed windows, spray painted vehicles and caused havoc while marching through the downtown core. It was an absolutely abysmal display. And did it take away from the protesters' message? Of course. How could it not?

When I was out and about on the weekend, at the local coffee shops, in the grocery stores, all I heard was two things. How terrible it was for that group of veterans who waited patiently for the torch to come by Friday, people who served their country to make it free enough to have those protests in the first place, denied the opportunity because the route had to change because of the protests. And the fact that protesters were damaging vehicles and businesses, supposedly in the name of getting some message out. Not one comment about the message.

And then there was someone who complained about police violence. Say what? Even the B.C. Civil Liberties Association has praised police for their restraint. And do you think the message gets out to people now afraid to take their kids downtown because they're afraid another incident could break out? I hardly think so.

One of the protest organizers says it's not a violent protest because people weren't hurt. Try telling that to some poor shop owner cowering in his store as someone smashes his windows. Or some poor mother and child trying to get out of the way while these terrorists roam the streets. It's quite possible that some of the violence Saturday was caused by violent people bent on destruction infiltrating legitimate protesters. Doesn't matter. The damage has been done. Even marches like the memorial yesterday to the missing Vancouver East Side women lost momentum because of the violence Saturday. Now the focus of any future protest will be on whether it turns violent, not on the message being put forward. Legitimate concerns have been put on the back burner by the actions of a few idiots. Unfortunate, but that's the mob mentality that often happens in these events.