Over 200 protestors flood downtown Calgary

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Lubicon supporters withstand pestering crowds

They had been there since 6 a.m. huddled tightly together holding their banners and placard high above their heads. They come to Calgary from all over Canada to unite in a show of support for the Lubicon Lake Indian band's land claim and boycott of the Calgary Winter Olympic Games.

More than 200 protesters gather in downtown Calgary Saturday Feb. 13 to show their support and to greet the Olympic flame with a cry of protest on behalf of the Lubicons' outstanding claim and the recent announcement that the government had leaded disputed land to a Japanese logging company.

"It's outrageous," says Jeanne Lepine, a Saskatchewan Federated College student. "We have come here to show support for the Lubicons . . . they must have justice."

AS the crowd huddles together, exchanging banners and pinning Lubicon support buttons onto their collards, Lubicon lawyer James O'Reilly passes out information sheets informing the protesters of their rights.

"You have the right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech," he tells them. "If you are asked to move, inform the organizers of the protest and we will ensure your rights are not trampled."

AS the crowd waits for the flame, bitter cold winds blow icy snow in from the mountains. But the protesters keep warm by waving their placards and singing songs. A team of entertainers from local television stations greet the crowd but are careful to ignore the protesters.

At one stage, traditional white Calgary cowboy hats are presented to people in the crowd, however, no Aboriginal people are selected for this honor.

Then as organizers announce the flame has reached the outskirts of the city, Calgary police officers surround the crowd of protesters and police observers line the ledges of nearby highrise buildings, training binoculars on the crowd below.

Finally, as the dignitaries which included former premier Peter Lougheed and Calgary MP Harvey Andre watch from the podium, the torch bearer pushes his way through the crowd as loudspeakers play the national anthem.

A large children's choir sings Share the Flame as the Olympic cauldron is lit. Protesters sing "Share the shame and share the blame" during the chorus.

Then, while speeches of congratulations pour out of the audio system, spectators at the back of the crowd begin throwing snowballs at the protesters and try to tear the placards out of the hands of the protesters.

Police officers watch as some members of the crowd begin to push and shove, trying to knock protesters over. Other people identified as plain clothes security officers also push through the crowds and some protesters fear violence will break out. Protesters are asked by organizers to remain calm and not to fight back if attacked.

Other spectators complain that the protesters have blocked their view of the flame procession.

"I used to have sympathy with you Indians," says one angry woman who refuses to give her name. "But you've lost my sympathy now."

"It's a pity that so many people put a ceremony before the lives of real live people," says Edmonton protester May Albertson. "The people of Lubicon Lake are dying of TB. They are losing their land to the Japanese they have nothing. Yet these people in the crowd think the flame ceremony is more important."

After the ceremony, the flame procession moves to Calgary's McMahon stadium where a huge Olympic cauldron will be lit. It will burn until the final day of the Olympics, Feb. 29.