Cablegate: Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #16

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC KOLY CASC CA PTER AMGT PINR OVIP
SUBJECT: Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #16

1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related
information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon
February 26, 2010. Please visit the following link for additional
classified reporting:

https://nol.nctc.sgov.gov/ng/cgi-bin/nctcHome .cgi?event=Vancouver_2
010. The interagency U.S. Government (USG) Joint Operations Center
can be contacted on a 24-hour basis at 604-692-2509, ext 4013.

2. (U//FOUO//LES) Canadian and USG authorities are currently
unaware of any specific, credible threats to the Games. Though the
frequency of organized demonstrations has diminished since February
15, ad hoc protest activity at event and public locations remains a
concern. Canadian security officials indicate anti-Olympics groups
may stage limited demonstrations as the Games draw to a close.

SECURITY ISSUES

Protests:

3. (U) February 25 Protest Activity - Yesterday's anti-Olympics
protest at the Britannia Community Services Centre passed without
incident. Anticipated "flash mob" activity in downtown Vancouver
yesterday afternoon failed to materialize.

4. (U) Current Protest Activity - Bicyclists and skaters plan to
participate in a "Critical Mass Bike Ride" slated to depart from
the Vancouver Art Gallery around 6 p.m. PST on February 26. This
recurring, regularly scheduled event is not anti-Olympics in
nature; however, the route is unknown and could affect the Men's
Hockey Semi-Final game at 6:30 p.m. at Canada Hockey Place. Minor
traffic disruptions are expected.

5. (U) Anticipated Protest Activity - A group calling itself
"Pirates of Justice" - costumed advocates of better working
conditions for cruise ship employees - is advertising a "flash mob"
for noon, February 27. While the specific location is currently
undisclosed, previous activity occurred in the vicinity of Canada
Place (note: this location, which includes the Main Press & Media
Centres, is along the waterfront and is not the same as Canada
Hockey Place). Prior events sponsored by this group were festive
in nature and not associated with property damage or violence.

6. (U) The anti-homelessness advocacy group Red Tent is staging an
"Olympic Wrap-Up" demonstration at Canada Pavilion (Dunsmuir and
Beatty, approximately 2 blocks NE of Canada Hockey Place) at noon
PST on February 27. Demonstrators will assemble at Keefer and
Abbott Streets then move approximately one block west to Canada
Pavilion. Activists plan to set up 142 red tarps and use 1700 feet
of "messaging" to "wrap the entire pavilion" as part of their call
for an end to homelessness. Protesters are encouraged to bring a
paintbrush, instruments, and sleeping gear to stay overnight.

7. (U) A "Games Over! Resistance Lives!" demonstration is
scheduled to occur from 1 to 5 p.m. PST on February 28 at the
intersection of Smithe and Cambie Streets. The event is advertised
as a "noisy public festival to celebrate our communities and our
resistance." This demonstration is being touted on the
anti-Olympics activist website
www.no2010.com.

Incidents:

8. (U) No Olympics-related security incidents occurred during
this reporting period.

Threats:

9. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible
transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics.

SECURITY OPERATIONS

10. (SBU) Diplomatic Security remains engaged in daily USOC team
movements.

11. (SBU) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet
Napolitano and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius have arrived in Vancouver and will be in town until March
1. US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice will be arriving later today.
The VIP delegation is scheduled to visit the USA House; attend the
hockey semi-finals and Gold Medal match at Canada Hockey Place;
speed skating events at the Richmond Olympic Oval; the Figure
Skating Gala at Pacific Coliseum; and the Closing Ceremonies.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

12. Public Affairs: Public Affairs staff assisted Secretary
Sebelius' team in arranging for Canadian and U.S. media interviews,
and also took part in the filming of public service announcements
at USA House. The announcements will promote healthy lifestyles
among youth as part of Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' initiative.

CONSULAR ISSUES

13. Nothing significant to report.

POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES

14. Cooler weather and rain have returned to the Vancouver area.
A schedule and results of all competitions throughout the Games can
be found at

http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule -results/.
CHICOLA

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