SEND A MESSAGE!


If you are concerned about the Olympics and free expression and you would like to share your concerns with some of the people making the decisions around the Olympics, you can e-mail them or e-mail the Vancouver 2010 organizing committee by visiting their “Send us a question” page. Use our template or your own words to express your opinion about the right to free speech and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games


Template Letter to Mayor and Council:


Mayor Gregor Robertson and Council
City of Vancouver
453 West 12th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4

Dear Mayor Robertson and Council and VANOC:

Re: Free Speech Rights and the 2010 Winter Olympic Games

I would like to voice my concern about the way in which free speech is being threatened by the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. I feel that my rights and freedoms are being undermined to benefit the International Olympic Committee and a select group of corporate sponsors.

The decision of the City of Vancouver to host the 2010 Olympic Games does not and should not change my right to openly voice my opinions about the Games, communicate about community events or advertise my independent business.

I am particularly disappointed with the Bylaw Vancouver passed to ban signs from the view of international media and Olympic spectators in an area that amounts to more than 40 square blocks of the downtown core. I want you to immediately work together to repeal the provisions of the 2010 Olympic Bylaw that you passed that change the rules around free speech for the Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee knew what Vancouver’s free speech rules were when they signed up. Let’s not change our proud tradition of tolerance and free speech in Vancouver for a two week party.

Sincerely,



[Name]