Call for funds
In February 2010, 27 Anti-olympics resisters were arrested on unceded Coast Salish Territories known as Vancouver. SACA is made up of people who were arrested and supporters opposed to state repression. We stand in solidarity with all people who are criminalized for struggling to survive and resisting this capitalist and colonial state. We raise awareness about the legal attacks and ongoing surveillance faced by some of those who openly resisted the Olympics. We are fighting the unjust and politically motivated charges in the courts, while doing popular education in the streets. We ask for your support through donations, fundraisers, and court solidarity.
27 people were arrested. However, this number does not include the many who were visited before, during and after the convergence by VISU; those who were unlawfully detained or “penned” during actions by riot police; those who were intimidated, pushed, beaten, insulted, and harassed by police, military, border agents, intelligence services and private security guards.
Out of the 27 people who were arrested, 10 were charged for a variety of bogus reasons. Out of the 10 charged, 2 are actively engaged in court cases, the other 8 have either had their charges dropped or have completed or are in the process of completing successful diversion (a way to avoid a judicial treatment of the offense). Needless to say, SACA supports each individual’s decision on how to deal with charges, whether this is through diversion or fighting the charges in court.
All those who face chargers are very thankful for the jail support in the middle of the night, those who brought food, those who chased down the paddy wagons after their arrests and those who have come to bail hearings. However, many of the 27 arrestees have also expressed a desire to keep their names and experiences private. We know a lot of people have been asking to be informed of court dates to organize court solidarity, and this is awesome. But, many of the arrestees would prefer if people supported by helping keep their identities private and therefore would rather people didn’t show up at court or share their personal details. We will be asking for court support and solidarity when arrestees request it.
The 2 court cases that remain are obviously political in nature. We know that people have been targeted as “known” anti-olympic organizers but also due to their involvement in other struggles. The legal system is just another arm of the state used to represses and silence activists. The so-called “justice” system is anything but, with police, crown prosecutors and judges all working together and being paid by the same “employer” – the state. We cannot expect any “justice” or “transparency” from any of them.
The legal process is draining and expensive, SACA is currently looking at about $19,000 worth of legal fees (this amount includes costs for bails, lawyers, filing fees, etc.) and this is where we need the most help. Through donations and fundraisers we hope to have full community support for this ongoing legal battle.
