No Olympics on Stolen Native Land
The Olympics are not about the human spirit and have little to do with athletic excellence: they are a multi-billion dollar industry backed by powerful elites, real estate, construction, hotel, tourism and television corporations, working hand in hand with their partners in crime: government officals and members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The 2010 Winter Olympics, to be held in Vancouver-Whistler (Canada) from February 12-27, 2010, is today a very real threat to Native peoples, the urban poor (many of whom are also Native), and the environment. While cutting social services, healthcare, education, etc., the British Colombia Liberal government is at the same time providing billions of dollars to construction companies and other Olympic-related industries. The capitalists are making millions, while the poor are literally dying in the urban and reservation ghettos.
Already, more land has been destroyed for the expansion or construction of highways, ski resorts and Olympic venues. Billions of ´public´ money is also being spent on new bridges, port facilities, railways, as well as urban transit. Most of this work is directly linked to 2010, to improve transportation and other infrastructure in preparation of the games.
The Olympic industry uses sports and athletes as commidities to market corporate products and services. Governments use Olympic games to unite their populations behind nationalist symbols, to impose greater social control, and to attract corporate investment. Despite claims that Olympics are not ´political´, they have devastating social and ecological impacts that cannot be ignored and which must be challenged.
More Infos: www.no2010.com
04.02.2010 // 20:00 Uhr // Medienwerkstatt
EKH // Wielandgasse 2-4 //
