Information for media – Olympic period – February 1-28, 2010

The BCCLA is launching one of the largest legal observer teams in history with almost 400 people trained for the 2010 Olympics, backed by a technology driven office and a team of more than 30 lawyers who are prepared to address any identified rights violations.

The BCCLA has already broken exclusive stories about homeless arrest initiatives by the province and the secret purchase of military-grade crowd control equipment by local police, as well as initiated litigation that successfully rolled back new city bylaws that limited free expression rights near Olympic venues.

To sign up for our media release distribution list, e-mail media@bccla.org with the word “Subscribe” in the subject line.

We’re working hard to ensure full media access to all BCCLA programs and initiatives during the Olympic period. Please see below for special Olympic-related media availabilities and requests.

Daily traditional media briefings (English) – February 12-28, 2010

The BCCLA will be hosting daily media briefings open to traditional (print, radio, television) media at the BCCLA office, located at 1188 West Georgia Street. Breaking news briefings will be held Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 9:00 am between February 12 and 28. On Sundays, the BCCLA will conduct a summary briefing of the week previous and upcoming week, which will be held at noon.

All briefings include: review of video footage from the observer program, updates on rights issues related to the Games, availability by lawyers for the BCCLA to discuss legal issues, and on select dates guest appearances by community groups invited by the BCCLA to present on Olympic-related issues. All Observer footage shown at briefings will be distributed in high definition format and streaming formats for download or viewing through links at www.bccla.org by 9:00 am daily (3:00 pm Sunday, no video Saturday).

To register for any daily media briefing and guarantee access, e-mail media@bccla.org with requested dates and media affiliation. Drop-ins are not guaranteed access due to limited space. Priority registration access will be given to traditional media outlets (newspaper, television, commercial/public radio). Raw footage of all briefings will be available online before noon daily (Sunday before 3:00 pm).

Daily new media briefings (English) – February 12-28, 2010

The BCCLA will be repeating our daily media briefing for new media every afternoon Monday to Friday at the new media centre at 112 West Hastings Street, incorporating any updates. Time TBA. Priority is given to new media outlets (podcast, blog, ‘zines, community or internet radio), and media registered at the W2 Culture and Media House new media centre. To register for any new media briefing, e-mail media@bccla.org with requested dates and media affiliation (publication/site name/station name). To register at W2, call 1-877-689-9896.

Legal Observer Program – Special Media Opportunities –
February 9-28, 2010

The nearly 400 citizen Legal Observers trained by the BCCLA will be in the streets throughout the Olympic period at venues and demonstrations. Highly visible in orange shirts and carrying digital video cameras, they will document and report back on the activities of the 14,500 police, soldiers and private security guards who are securing the Olympics to ensure that citizens’ basic rights and freedoms are protected.

Ride along with an observer team (English only)
Observers start shifts at 11am, 3 pm, and 7 pm.  If you wish to follow Observers for part, or all, of a shift e-mail media@bccla.org to schedule your ride along.

Tour the observer office (English only)
The largely volunteer-run but highly sophisticated Observer office is using specially designed database software to track data and video collected by observers, as well as a web-based scheduling and login system on computers donated by Free Geek. The office will be open for media tours; however, due to the sensitive nature of information collected during the Observer program, only limited access will be granted to the Observer office and we are unable to accommodate drop ins. Please e-mail media@bccla.org to schedule a tour.

Interview an Observer (various languages available)
Observers will be available for interview at the beginning and end of shifts. The BCCLA can accommodate many different language requests for observer interviews. To interview an observer or an office coordinator, e-mail media@bccla.org to schedule. Please indicate language preference if not English. While observers are on their shifts, we ask that media allow them to work without distraction and to coordinate interviews or ride alongs through our online system.

One-on-one interviews with BCCLA executive and staff (English, French, Hindi, Urdu, German, Korean)

For one-on-one interviews with the executive or staff of the BCCLA who have organized these programs, individual requests will be accepted as availability allows.

Priority will be given to national publications, but all requests are welcome and we will do our best to accommodate everyone. To request a private interview with BCCLA staff or executive, e-mail media@bccla.org with the topic of your story, any preferences for the spokesperson you’d prefer, and your preferred date/time or deadline.

For any questions or to book a media request, please email us at media@bccla.org.