Olympic Anniversary Rally

[Arthur Goldsmith]

Just a quick introduction,

My name's Arthur Goldsmith, I'm a 26 year old software engineer with a
keen interest on open data and open media policy. I'm extremely
excited to have begun engagement with the OpenMedia.ca's movement, and
I look forward to our day of action on the 26th of February. I was
wondering though, if any thought has been given to stage an early
rally in Vancouver next weekend. The city is holding a series of
'Olympic Anniversary' events and that could be an opportune time to
get our message out to a large audience.

If it's something that we believe can be done I'd be happy to
volunteer in order to make this happen.

Sincerely,
Arthur

[Chris Bruin]

Hi Arthur,

As far as I know, there are no plans for rallies before the 26th. Toronto and Ottawa are the only cities that has had a rally (yesterday) before the 26th.

While I agree that protesting during the Olympic Anniversary could get the message out, it is also something that I would be slightly reluctant to partake in. My reason for that is that as a Canadian, partaking in the Olympic games and getting even a single gold medal is something to be proud of. I was not a big fan of the protests during the Olympic Celebrations last year, it made me, as a Canadian, feel ashamed that people would go out of their way to get their ideas across and to potentially ruin someone elses day with negative thoughts, when the time called for celebrating and festivities.

However, this Olympic Anniversary is not quite like the Olympics. If anything, it's a waste of tax dollars and time, and the fallout of the games when we realized we spent almost $2billion does bring around a negative connotation.

I believe that a rally is justified at any time when someone is upset with something, after all it is an expression free speech. However, in one week, to get enough people to make even a small impact is going to be very difficult. If you think that you can get enough people for a rally on the 12th, I say go for it! I, unfortunately, can't help much. I'm busy preparing stuff for the 26th rally, and will most likely be canvassing all next week at schools, universities, and all major public places. I also have a job that needs attending and due to the prep work for the 26th, I've taken too much time off work already as it is.

Do you have a protest spot in mind? The Art Gallery seems to be full right now, most likely in prep for the Anniversary.

Regards,
Chris

[Arthur Goldsmith]

Chris,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. Given it some further thought, and you're probably right about not being able to garner enough interest for a full blown rally, although it's hard to pass up an opportunity with such a large audience. Often times I see causes stationed outside the front of the VAG with just a few signs and a booth. A street canvassing format similar to that would probably be more realistic and effective, if that's not what you're already doing? Let me know, I'd be happy to help in anyway possible, print/publish flyers, donate time and materials, whatever need be. My girlfriend is also a seasoned graphic designer in the print industry, we've come up with some really interesting ideas for signs, t-shirts and messaging etc.

 

It never really crossed my mind about how it might be controversial to hold something during something related to the Olympics. I felt the same way about the protests against the Olympics while they were taking place, although I think we both agree that something like this would be different. There is always a risk though! Good point no less!

Let me know what you think. :)

Best,

Arthur

[Arthur Goldsmith]

Chris and the general mailing list,

Is there is anyone else willing to spend time with me on the street next weekend during the Olympic Anniversary events? I really feel it would be an effective use of our time while thousands of individuals might be out to listen. Most of what people hear or understand about this issue tend to be from news-paper fragments or soundbites on TV. As I'm sure we'd all agree some a lot of what's said is misleading and needs to be clarified.

I'm willing to donate both my time and some personal resources. I will no doubt be just as willing come February 26th, although some groundwork  a few weeks before definitely couldn't hurt. Also, in order to best represent OpenMedia.ca and their interests is there some official messaging I can go over or some simple rule to adhere to?

Some feedback would be appreciated,

Arthur

[Chris Bruin]

Sorry for not responding sooner, things came up and your email unfortunately got pushed to the side.

What I'm hoping for on the 26th is a ton of people to be standing along the street with signs, posters, pamphlets, and the like. I'm not sure if we are going to have booths, maybe some tables, I have to organize the rental of those still. If your sister wants to make informative posters, pamphlets, or posters for around town, please have her do that. I will be covering some of the east end, and a lot of downtown this week with fliers, as well as big universities and colleges, while west end downtown will be covered by a friend.

A simple official message is this: No UBB, or Stop The Meter. http://www.antiubb.com/ memorize Home, Why, and Can pages, that is the official statement really. There is no "key phrase" except no UBB, however, No CRTC and No Bell are also worthy causes. Net Neutrality might also become an issue at some point in our future, but that is not this fight. As for rules, anything goes except vandalism or illegal things, meaning no tagging property with anti-UBB signs (spray paint).

Chris

[Steve Anderson]

Hi all, the key action item at the moment is to get comments to the CRTC: http://openmedia.ca/crtc

and to grow the petition to half a million: http://stopthemeter.ca

So I'd suggest those be where we point people to. There are also resources like posters that can be used here: http://openmedia.ca/meter/resources

- more to come

I think some folks here at OpenMedia headquarters are talking about doing a public petition drive that day - printing out the petition form and signing people up at coffee shops and public space, door-to-door etc... Very direct action and powerful stuff. 

- this could feed in well to the public event that ur thinking about Chris

onward

--

Steve Anderson
National Coordinator, OpenMedia.ca
604-837-5730
http://openmedia.ca
st...@openmedia.ca

Follow me on Twitter

Friend me on Facebook

Read my Blog

[Mack Benz]

Hi gang,

In response to Chris' question about rally locations. I've suggested a
few on facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=179487018755558
as have a few other members. I honestly think that Gastown (ie.
specifically Water Street) spanning the 3 block radius it is, would be
the ideal location as its seconds away from the sea-bus terminal, all
major bus-routes, sky-train, westcoast-express, heli-jet. So, in terms
of transportation, its one of our best options. In terms of capacity
and logistics, it spans 3 blocks and has side-street's for excess
activists if need be. We can station at the top of Water Street near
the Sea-bus terminal but perhaps even Maple Tree Square (Gassy Jack
Statue) would be best suited as it could easily hold thousands, is
where the Jazz fest usually sets up its main performances and its
always where the DTES Natives and Low-income families protest,
blocking traffic at least once every four weeks during the summer
months. It's historical, nice, impactful and shutting down traffic
seems to be a norm here as I've lived in this district for the last 6
years and see it often. If need be, I have good relations with the
Head of the GBIS (http://www.gastown.org/programs/index.html) (we can
contact them for advice or approval or whatever motions we'll need to
go throw to be allowed street closure).

We also have SFU @ Woodwards a block south of Water Street (on Cordova
Street, running parallel to Water) and a giant concrete plaza-area
that could support thousands more if need be. It's another impactful
and important spot where many historical rally's and squatting's have
taken place. Again, two-minutes away from the sea-bus/sky-train
terminal and all mass transit. NFB has their offices there as well so
it could attract even more media attention.

Gastown would also have a profound media effect as CBC is minutes away
(4 blocks) on Georgia street and would dispatch their camera crews
immedaitely...

Another potentially important reason,

There are a vast amount of high-tech companies in Gastown that rely on
affordable bandwidth;
I.T. Companies, Design Firms, Visual Effects and Animation Studios,
Public Relations Firms, Post-Production services of every nature,
Architectural firms, all of which horde bandwidth because of large
files they need to pass to clients and receive from clients for assets
within their projects/work-orders.

Alas, Water Street could likely support 100,000 people with walking
room (although I'm not sure what you guys are presuming for numbers
and could only wager a guess in the 10,000-15,000 range)

Either way, what I'm finding is everyone who understand tech or works
in something relatively IT related, or is young, have heard about this
campaign, but a lot of people are still in the unknown and have no
clue as to what this is actually about. We effectively want to educate
them, so pamphlets are a must to penetrate the crowd that doesn't use
facebook or watch the evening news.

Have you guys considered a march as opposed to a rally as we're trying
to get out a message to the majority of Canadians whom still don't
understand what this about? A thousand people marching the streets
coordinated with pamphlets will penetrate a larger base of NEW
potential supporters as opposed to a rally in one area that will be
captured mainly by media and those in the immediate area, and we know
that these networks already have an audience that has already been
introduced to the UBB proposal via Newshour or some news alternative
and probably already disagrees with it. If we are trying to be as
effective and gather as much support as possible, a march seems more
justified and logical to gathering a larger support base, does it not?
I understand the logistical co-ordination required but I'm sure
finding experienced volunteers would not be an issue, as it never is
these days thanks to social media.

Nonetheless, a static rally in Gastown obviously wouldn't be as
effective (if our goal is educating the masses and quantity is the
key) as the business or shopping districts of downtown in terms of
foot-traffic and the ability to talk to individuals while rallying in
a specific location, but it would give us heaps of room, less flak
from the city for street closure and probably the 4th largest
pedestrian foot-traffic in downtown Vancouver on a Saturday.

In terms of print-media, I like the banners on the website, but its
very limited in terms of visual aesthetics and even though I
understand it need not be, to maximize the people we want to enable,
we need to maximize the potential to capture their eye. I'm sure you
guys are already in the process of designing more? Canadians are
pretty diverse, I'm sure if openMedia.ca put a simple message on their
web-site requesting people submit their work for mass-print to banner
around the city you would have floods of beautiful and art-felt,
emotional pieces that would not only acquire a potential new following
but give a bigger presence behind the whole support against UBB.

Again, I'd like to help in any way possible for this day of action, so
if you need anything, my skills and time are available at your
disposal in support of this rally.

I've thought perhaps my way of contributing could be filming this
rally with me and another person on Canon MkII's and compiling the
footage later as a video strewn together with some great, archival,
wise words from memorable Canadians, a cheesy soundtrack we all hate
to love, all of which would be dubbed over pictures of banners created
by the rally group, protest footage and other live-action video-events
that take place on Feb 26th. Do you think/would this be of use, or
even garnish some sentimental value amongst the Canadians involved in
this issue? Would it be beneficial to the cause in any way?

Apart from that, is there talks between OpenMedia.ca and Canadians
Advocating Political Participation (CAPP) about the Vancouver rally,
is there a head-organizer whom we could talk to about idea's, the
locations, the fundamental goal (media exposure or people penetration,
both would be ideal but one obviously has to prevail).

Many uber-thanks to you guys already for stepping-up and taking
charge.

Best,

Mack Benz
exilevfx.com
owner/vfx.Producer

On Feb 8, 5:36 pm, Steve Anderson <St...@openmedia.ca> wrote:
> Hi all, the key action item at the moment is to get comments to the CRTC:http://openmedia.ca/crtc
>
> and to grow the petition to half a million:http://stopthemeter.ca
>
> So I'd suggest those be where we point people to. There are also resources
> like posters that can be used here:http://openmedia.ca/meter/resources
> - more to come
>
> I think some folks here at OpenMedia headquarters are talking about doing a
> public petition drive that day - printing out the petition form and signing
> people up at coffee shops and public space, door-to-door etc... Very direct
> action and powerful stuff.
> - this could feed in well to the public event that ur thinking about Chris
>
> onward
> --

> *Steve Anderson*
> National Coordinator, OpenMedia.ca
> 604-837-5730http://openmedia.ca<http://www.openmedia.ca/>*
> *st...@openmedia.ca
>
> Follow me on Twitter <http://twitter.com/Steve_Media>
>  <http://twitter.com/Steve_Media>Friend me on
> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/Steve.Media>
>  <http://www.facebook.com/Steve.Media>Read my
> Blog<http://openmedia.ca/SteveAnderson>
>
> <http://stopthemeter.ca>
>
> *
> *

>
> On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 5:04 PM, Chris Bruin <haxorpara...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Sorry for not responding sooner, things came up and your email
> > unfortunately got pushed to the side.
>
> > What I'm hoping for on the 26th is a ton of people to be standing along the
> > street with signs, posters, pamphlets, and the like. I'm not sure if we are
> > going to have booths, maybe some tables, I have to organize the rental of
> > those still. If your sister wants to make informative posters, pamphlets, or
> > posters for around town, please have her do that. I will be covering some of
> > the east end, and a lot of downtown this week with fliers, as well as big
> > universities and colleges, while west end downtown will be covered by a
> > friend.
>
> > A simple official message is this: No UBB, or Stop The Meter.

> >http://www.antiubb.com/memorize Home, Why, and Can pages, that is the

> >>> On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 12:00 AM, Chris Bruin <haxorpara...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >>>> Hi Arthur,
>
> >>>> As far as I know, there are no plans for rallies before the 26th.
> >>>> Toronto and Ottawa are the only cities that has had a rally (yesterday)
> >>>> before the 26th.
>
> >>>> While I agree that protesting during the Olympic Anniversary could get

> >>>> the message out, it is also something that I would be *slightly*reluctant to partake in. My reason for that is that as a Canadian, partaking

[Arthur Goldsmith]

@Steve,

I really think a petition drive during the anniversary is a good idea. I'd love to be involved as much as possible, I can probably get a few more friends to help as well, keep me in the loop. I can help in donating time, resources and ideas. I can donate some money as well, but I'd rather deliver it in person if that's ok. I'm on the Drive, you guys close by?

@Mack,

Great suggestions for rally locations. My two cents on the location would be to try and have it in a place with high foot-traffic (somewhat obvious) but maybe less obvious is to consider places where are more likely to attract a younger audience; They'll be more sympathetic and it might also help our numbers.

A march instead of a rally definitely has it's merits, I'd even consider leading it! But I believe a rally would be much easier for those trying to meet up with us and for the media; who's attention we're trying to draw. It's possible it could be done in a way that could avoid these problems, but I can't really imagine how we would.

Best,

Arthur.

[Mack Benz]

Hiya, thanks for the feedback Arthur.

As far as a march goes, within our time-frame I think you're right as
city officials we would have needed to be contacted earlier to get
some street closures. As for foot-traffic, any shopping district, ie.
Gastown, Yaletown, Robson, Granville will be pretty high-volume for a
Saturday, all locations with sky-trains and bus-loops nearby.

Otherwise, we would find an abundance of students at VCC's downtown
campus on the corner of Pender St. & Hamilton St., 3 minutes away from
the 'Granville skytrain' and 2 minutes away from the 'Stadium
skytrain'. Apart from that for another large amount of students it's
SFU downtown at Woodwards or UBC downtown campus in Robson Square.
Either way, its a Saturday so 90% of students won't be in class unless
they are ESL.

@Chris, I'd be available this Saturday too, seeing as the cauldron is
being lit at the Convention Centre perhaps this would be a good place
for one group and then on Granville and Robson for the street party,
another group or two. Let me know your thoughts and if your still into
doing something this weekend as we'd need to get on the logistics
today. I'd be available to help poster some areas and potentially get
some petition signatures.

Talk soon,

Mack


On Feb 8, 10:52 pm, Arthur Goldsmith <arthur.goldsm...@gmail.com>
wrote:

> > *Steve Anderson*
> > National Coordinator, OpenMedia.ca
> > 604-837-5730

> >http://openmedia.ca<http://www.openmedia.ca/>*
> > *st...@openmedia.ca
>
> > Follow me on Twitter <http://twitter.com/Steve_Media>
> >  <http://twitter.com/Steve_Media>Friend me on Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/Steve.Media>
> >  <http://www.facebook.com/Steve.Media>Read my Blog<http://openmedia.ca/SteveAnderson>
>
> > <http://stopthemeter.ca>
>
> > *
> > *
>

> > On Tue, Feb 8, 2011 at 5:04 PM, Chris Bruin <haxorpara...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >> Sorry for not responding sooner, things came up and your email
> >> unfortunately got pushed to the side.
>
> >> What I'm hoping for on the 26th is a ton of people to be standing along
> >> the street with signs, posters, pamphlets, and the like. I'm not sure if we
> >> are going to have booths, maybe some tables, I have to organize the rental
> >> of those still. If your sister wants to make informative posters, pamphlets,
> >> or posters for around town, please have her do that. I will be covering some
> >> of the east end, and a lot of downtown this week with fliers, as well as big
> >> universities and colleges, while west end downtown will be covered by a
> >> friend.
>
> >> A simple official message is this: No UBB, or Stop The Meter.

> >>http://www.antiubb.com/memorize Home, Why, and Can pages, that is the

> >>>> On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 12:00 AM, Chris Bruin <haxorpara...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >>>>> Hi Arthur,
>
> >>>>> As far as I know, there are no plans for rallies before the 26th.
> >>>>> Toronto and Ottawa are the only cities that has had a rally (yesterday)
> >>>>> before the 26th.
>
> >>>>> While I agree that protesting during the Olympic Anniversary could get

> >>>>> the message out, it is also something that I would be *slightly*reluctant to partake in. My reason for that is that as a Canadian, partaking

[Arthur Goldsmith]

I saw your call for volunteers today, I'll be available for the 12th (petition drive - if it happens) and the 26th. I also have 1 more confirmed to come with me for both of those days as well. I'll be sure he joins this mailing list.

Best

Arthur.

[Arthur Goldsmith]

I always hit send too early! I'm also available the 14th to the 18th (all next week) after 6pm (after work).

Best,

Arthur.

[Chris Bruin]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to take a walk down to the Art Gallery on Friday and do some
on site scouting of possible locations.

If the Art Gallery is open and nothing is taking place on the front
side where those big tents are, this would be an ideal location due to
the volume of foot traffic that passes through here, or the other side
of the gallery. It is right beside the shopping district on Robson,
and on a Saturday it is sure to be busy.

If the Art Gallery is not available, I will take a look at some other
places you guys have suggested in person and determine which location
is going to get the most traffic. We want maximum exposure, so it has
to be in a high foot/vehicle traffic area, and an area where the media
can set up shop easily. The Sea Bus terminal, not a very idea
location, people running through there are usually in a rush and have
some place to be. Also, Gas Town isn't an ideal location, not enough
foot traffic, and I'm sure we can make space for pedestrians in
another local.

@Mack
You can talk to myself or Steve Anderson, I have been trying to
organize the rally for Vancouver and could use some assistance with
ideas. Steve is from OpenMedia, contact him for things relating to
that. I also do not think we will need a street closure, but I will
request the presence of police at the rally. I know that we can hire
an officer for the day, but that would require money, something which
I'm currently lacking. Possibly a group effort to raise the funds, if
it is wanted. But, I'm sure there will be police on site anyway if the
rally gets big enough, to keep the peace or at least check us out.

Also, we will not be blocking any vehicle traffic or impeding anyone.
Getting blocked pisses me off, it happened a few days ago downtown, I
wouldn't wish it on anyone else so we will avoid this.

Lastly, we can not hold a protest/rally on any college grounds. I
spoke with security at VCC and it's tough enough for me to even get
permission to put posters up in the school because it relates to a
protest. They claim they want to remain politically neutral and that
this doesn't concern the students, but that is not quite the case. In
any event, VCC is a no go.

I'll post again in a couple of days with new information.

[Steve Anderson]

Hi all, I personally like the idea of a creative petition drive action like most other cities are doing, rather than trying to pull off a rally. Seems lighter, less stressful, more fun, and probably more effective.  But that's just me. The action people do can be anything to raise awareness. 

but regardless, seems like it would be good for interested folks to meet face to face for a brainstorming session  and just to get to know each other before the 26th. 

How do people feel about tuesday the 22nd at 7pm? We can host at the OpenMedia.ca office @ 111 hastings. 

let me know.

--

Steve Anderson

National Coordinator, OpenMedia.ca
604-837-5730
http://openmedia.ca

st...@openmedia.ca

Follow me on Twitter

Friend me on Facebook

Read my Blog

[kevin beckford]

I

but regardless, seems like it would be good for interested folks to meet face to face for a brainstorming session  and just to get to know each other before the 26th. 

This is a really good idea.

How do people feel about tuesday the 22nd at 7pm? We can host at the OpenMedia.ca office @ 111 hastings. 

Works for me.

[Dayla]

I think a table with some literature and music playing on the Robson side of the Art Gallery would be a good base for people to sign petitions, and we can send out teams of people with clipboards around that area to get individuals to sign. That way shy and curious people can read about the cause without getting frightened away by people asking them to sign, while the people who need convincing can also be appeased. And if the Art Gallery is already busy, we could just move over closer to the Canada Line station.

Also, a brainstorming session is a great idea. Tuesday at 7 sounds good.

[Steve Anderson]

Dayla, that sounds like a great way to arrange this. 

Chris been talking about this since before I was even so I want to make sure he can attend the meeting. So lets say  Wednesday the 23nd at 7pm? We can host at the OpenMedia.ca office @ 111 hastings. We'll provide some snacks, but feel free to bring your own food and drinks if you like. Bring your creative ideas and energy. 

Please do keep the ideas coming, as I'm sure some people won't be able to make the meeting. 

I'm CCing Paul, who has done some door to door education for us before, and has also done canvassing for Green Peace. He's signed up to help organize and help folks you want to get people to sign the petition. Awesome! He won't be there on Wednesday, but will be around on Saturday, and will give people some pointers just prior to the action for those interested. 

Onward!

--

Steve Anderson
National Coordinator, OpenMedia.ca
604-837-5730
http://openmedia.ca
st...@openmedia.ca

Follow me on Twitter

Friend me on Facebook

Read my Blog

[Glyn Lewis]

Hey everyone,

This sounds great. FYI the meeting spot for the Stop The Meter CRTC  petition drive has been set for Saturday, Feb 26th @1pm @ The Art Gallery (W.Georgia side). 

From there we are encouraging supporters to take the petition, in groups of two or three, and get as many Vancouverites as possible to sign the petition calling on the CRTC to Stop The Meter and end Internet caps. 

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179487018755558

Steve Anderson has called a day of action planning meeting at the OpenMedia's office, @111 Hastings, for Wed Feb 23rd @7pm. If you are free and keen to help organize the Stop The Meter petition drive please join us for this planning meeting. 

For the Internet, 

Glyn

--
Glyn Lewis

National Day of Action Coordinator, Stop The Meter

514-557-4753

http://openmedia.ca

gly...@canadaparticipates.ca

[Ben Wells]

I'll be at the meeting on Feb. 23. Look forward to meeting everyone!

Ben

[Arthur Goldsmith]

I won't be able to make the meeting for the 23rd, I'll be outside of the city. Although, a buddy of mine and I look forward to helping with the petition drive on the 26th. Also I'm trying to get a few other people to come and assist, so please be ready for those who might want to help without ever having been involved yet :).

Thanks,

Arthur 

:)

[Glyn Lewis]

Thanks for this Arthur. 

We're working on some clear and simple "How To Petition" documents (and maybe even a short video). This should be circulated early next week :)

For the Internet, 

Glyn

[Dayla]

If it's already set in stone, that's okay, but I think the Robson side of the Art Gallery will be a lot better for having a more concentrated pedestrian flow. The Georgia side is so large that it sort of calls for spectacle to get anyone to stop.

[Glyn Lewis]

Hey Dayla, 

Thank you for this. 

How about this, we keep the meeting location for the petition drive as the W.Georgia side of the Art Gallery and we send one or even two teams to petition the Robson area? 

Thanks again for your input, 

Glyn

[Ben Wells]

Hey team;

Unfortunately I've had something important come up for this evening, and I won't be able to join the meeting. I'm still available for saturday's petition drive, and a quick phone call or email with the details is all i will need to be ready.

Thanks

Ben

604.805.8677