CANADA: WINTER OLYMPICS VANCOUVER 2010 - Protestors in Vancouver march to call attention to plight of homelessness in shadow of the Olympic games

Record ID: 329695

  • Title: CANADA: WINTER OLYMPICS VANCOUVER 2010 - Protestors in Vancouver march to call attention to plight of homelessness in shadow of the Olympic games
  • Date: 8th February 2010
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) JEAN SWANSON, HOMELESS ADVOCATE SAYING: "This is what, two weeks of games, that's our slogan, it's poverty, it's not a game. It's more important than a game. This is more serious, people die because they're poor. People die because they're homeless. It's completely unnecessary , this is a rich country." VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATION (SOUNDBITE) (English) GARVIN SNYDER, DEMONSTRATOR IN POVERTY OLYMPICS SAYING: "The real issue is the Olympics has spent millions and millions of dollars for this sporting event, this so-called sporting event, and when that money could have been spent on housing."
  • Embargoed: 23rd February 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Canada
  • Country: Canada
  • Topics: Sports,Social Services / Welfare
  • Reuters ID: LVAA1CPJ9BSJ3A0UO6ZP2SAHOBB3
  • Story Text: "Poverty Olympics" draws attention to large homeless problem in Vancouver, days before start of Olympic games.
    Several hundred protestors marched in Vancouver on Sunday (February 7) in the "Poverty Olympics" to call attention to the plight of the homeless in Vancouver amid the billions of dollars that have been spent for Olympic infrastructure.
    With the Winter Olympic games only a few days away, city officials and Olympic organizers were preparing to showcase the highlights of Vancouver, but homeless advocates were anxious to use the opportunity to shine a spotlight on homelessness in the city.
    Jean Swanson, a homeless advocate in Toronto told Reuters Television, "It's poverty, it's not a game. It's more important than a game. This is more serious, people die because they're poor. People die because they're homeless. It's completely unnecessary, this is a rich country."
    Chanting "Homes not Games" Poverty Olympic organizers ran a make-shift torch through the streets British Columbia province over the past few days.
    Homeless advocate Megan McKinney said "There was a billion dollars spent on security for the Olympics and certainly that would have been great if that went to things like a national housing strategy."
    The Winter Olympic games begin on February 12.
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