Olympic Protests Still Exist, Even After Beijing

Image from media.nowpublic.net

The intense protests that plagued this summer's Beijing Olympics are not anything new, and they represent history that is sure to repeat itself soon. The Summer Games were contested by several different groups, many for various human rights violations, such as their involvement with arming the Janjaweed in Darfur, while also their refusal to allow autonomy to Tibet. The Games still went about normally, but it brought all of the country's shortcomings to light rather than show off its positives, which was certainly the government's intentions in obtaining the Games. In the 2010 Vancouver Games, which are to occur next winter, protests have already been occurring on the grounds that events will be played on Indigenous territories. Some of these have gotten out of hand and led to outright vandalism and violence. There are even potential perceived threats from al-Qaida, as Canada's involvement in Afghanistan is increasing. Here's an article I wrote last May for Buzzsaw Magazine about the significant Native protests. (Click the issue on the left in the Spring 2008 section, then it's on pages 18-19) Even then, they had been going on for quite some time.