Multi-media Coverage of the 2010 Olympics

Wasn't that something, a whole lot of different things in that opening ceremony. It was a pretty good thematic representation of Canada. It was very technical and some of the graphic and light displays were just outstanding. I have to say kd lang's performance was just awesome. I haven't felt proud to be Canadian for a long time, because of our failings domestically and geopolitically, but tonight, I am damn proud to be a Canadian!

I`m glad the protest and rallying went okay too (see below). Word from the street was that the police were well prepared for this. They were fairly low profile at the Art Gallery, but they had a definite presence and plan. There were sharpshooters on buildings, move a bit away and officers were everywhere. There were paddy wagons lined up on a nearby street. And numbering over 125 later near BC Place the show of numbers but no aggression led to a successful event. It sounds like some officers took the brunt of it. I just don`t agree with acting in violence, throwing stuff, or hitting officers. That`s just not cool and it loses the respect of people who might otherwise be on board with the issues.

BC Civil Liberties was out there too, with their 2010 Legal Observer program and blog.

BCCLA will host "coffee with civil liberties" every day at 8 am at their office at 1188 West Georgia Street in Vancouver. At these press conferences they will present their reports and videos from the previous day.

The tragedy of Nodar Kumaritashvili`s death was respectfully acknowledged and honoured and I think that averted a huge pall over the opening.

Friday Afternoon's Protest Big & Peaceful
'It's a pretty positive vibe out here' says civil liberties observer. Return to this story for updates during the weekend.
February 12 2010, Tyee.ca

Earlier Friday afternoon, an estimated 1,500 people gathered on the front lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Everyone from Olympics boosters to ardent anti-capitalists squeezed their way through the crowd, which had the density of a stadium rock concert. Dozens of homemade signs sprouted above the throngs. They ranged from the angry -- "Homes not Games" -- to the esoteric -- "Bring back Crystal Pepsi." 


Police clash with anti-Olympic protesters
CBC. Feb. 12 2010

Two police officers injured in Olympic protest

CTV. Feb. 12 2010

Two police officers were injured and one protester was injured during the four hour protest in Downtown Vancouver, Constable Lindsey Houghton told reporters about an hour after the crowd dispersed.

Music competed with chanting of slogans - Homes Not Games - by members of the placard-waving crowd. More than 25 different causes competed for attention. Some of the protest signs included "Community Not Corporations," " Greenest Games or Tar Sands Greenwash," and "Poverty Isn't a Game."

As the protesters headed down the street, numerous bystanders started lining the curb, taking photographs, not unlike the torch relay. (haha)

********************
Where to See & Watch the Games:

CTV Guide to 2010 Olympic coverage

Olympic Viewers Guide

Event & Results Schedule

CBC - Vancouver Now 2010 Coverage

Vancouver Media Co-Op
Local Independent News

Pirate Radio Set to Go Live for Olympics
Kevin Murray February 12, 2010 Tyee.ca

A pirate radio station is set to broadcast from VIVO Media Arts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, as part of their 2010: Safe Assembly forums.

According to the website, the initial broadcast, The Evening News, will feature a roster of critical Olympics observers, including the outspoken activist and UBC professor Chris Shaw, author of Five Ring Circus, Harsha Wallia of the Olympics Resistance Network, and Micheal Vonn of the BC Civil Liberties Association.

The signal will have a tentative range of about 6 kilometers, but "it's a matter of [antenna] length" says Nicholas Perrin, a member of the broadcast collective.

The intention is to provide an alternative view of what being host to the International Olympics Committee really means, says Muir.

VIVO 91.5 FM

stay tuned

7 pm////February 13th, 15th, 17th, 21st, 23rd, & 25th: 2010

VIVO////1965 Main Street, Vancouver

The Evening News is a series of six forums happening as a part of VIVO 2010: Safe Assembly. Each evening will lean upon the experiences, observations, footage, and art of residents, media activists, and artists living around Vancouver for citizen’s “reports” on everyday life in the province, direct action and protest, and other transitory and lasting social effects of the megaevent.

VIVO 2010: Safe Assembly

We will be operating a radio transmitter during the last two weeks of February. Our signal will also be streaming online. Our range will be humble, and thus situated.

We will be hosting the Vancouver (de)Tour Guide 2010 project in our front space. A multi-layered Google map that highlights a variety of noteworthy and notable sites, histories, and narratives compiled by local residents. Visitors are welcome to browse the site as a local, insiders’ guide to the city. For us, it is vital to complicate the sanitized ‘best place on earth’ version of the city VANOC is officially promoting worldwide.

Covering Up will be a street action photo/video-documentation project.