COPE launches “Oppressometer” today – www.2010oppressometer.com

Immediate Release: February 9, 2010

At a media conference today, COPE launched the “2010 Oppressometer”, an online tool developed to monitor civil liberties during the Olympic period. The site is a tongue-in-cheek take on the US Homeland Security threat levels, documenting civil liberty concerns in the months leading up to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The most recent entry (labeled “high”) highlights the recent story of Canadian border officials denying entry into Canada to a Chicago-based journalist critical of the Games.

WorkingTV

According to COPE External Chairperson, Alvin Singh, “We have seen many examples of behaviour that is concerning to us at COPE in terms of civil liberty violations. It is important for us to be part of the broad group of civil society leaders who are monitoring the games to make sure that the fundamental rights we have as Canadians are protected. This tool – while somewhat humourous – has a very serious message behind it, and serves to highlight very serious concerns."

The site documents violations, but also positive steps made to redress some of these issues. For example, while COPE Councillor, Ellen Woodsworth’s amendments to the city’s first by-law changes were defeated, after considerable pressure from COPE, the community, and organizations like the BC Civil Liberties Association, the by-laws were amended at a second reading to protect free speech. As a result, the Opressometer level then dropped to “elevated.”

The public are encouraged to send in stories, pictures and videos to cope@cope.bc.ca.