Please sign this petition by October 28 and pass it along to everyone you know in the Grandview/Woodlands/Commercial Drive area.
We need to tell the Britannia Board to vote NO to the Olympics!On
Wednesday October 29, the Britannia Community Centre Board will vote on the proposal to allow VANOC to use Britannia as an Olympics venue. VANOC is pressuring Britannia Community Centre to become an Olympic hockey practice venue. The newly elected Britannia board members have committed to holding a community meeting to consult with residents of the neighbourhood before holding their vote, but there has been no consultation.
Community members have raised many concerns about the potential use of Britannia as an Olympics venue, including:
- Increased police/military/security presence;
- Heavy weaponry (guns, tasers, tear gas, pepper spray, helicopters) near our schools, libraries and day cares;
- Increased racial profiling, especially of Indigenous youth;
- The impact on homeless people including "sweeps" by police and harassment;
- That "security parameters" will cut off or severely restrict access for our seniors, students and children
- Increases in traffic and rents, due to proximity of an Olympic venue, and general increased gentrification
- That needed upgrades shouldn't be tied to the Olympics deal which uses public money anyway.
We need to
send a strong (and fast) message to the Britannia Board that this decision will impact the entire community, and the Olympics are not welcome in our neighbourhood!
Sign the petition and
come to the board meeting on Wednesday October 29 at 6pm. LRC room at Britannia Centre (under the library).
But wait, there's more!
On Sunday October 26 there will be a "Public Information Session" at the Britannia Ice Rink. Come out and voice your concerns to the Board and they need to vote NO at the upcoming Board meeting!
For more info and to find out how the Olympics have impacted the neighbouring community of Trout Lake, visit:
http://web.resist.ca/~no2010britanniaPlease pass this petition on to everyone you know in East Van!
We, the undersigned residents of the Grandview/Woodlands community, have raised concerns about security/surveillance, community values, service disruptions, accountability and transparency around the 2010 Olympics at Britannia.
We are opposed to Britannia Community Centre being used as an Olympics venue.
We urge you to vote NO.