Olympic protesters smash department store windows

[alienlovechild 75]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - More than 200 masked Olympic protesters splattered red paint and smashed windows of a popular downtown department store Saturday on the first day of competition at the Vancouver Games.

Police say the group marched through the upscale shopping district, vandalizing cars and stores. Witnesses say protesters threw metal newspaper boxes into the display windows of Hudson's Bay Company, where Olympic souvenirs are sold.

Police in riot gear quickly moved in and quashed the protest. Police Chief Jim Chu said seven protesters were arrested on a variety of charges, and they were being processed. One of the protesters faces weapons possession charges. Chu said the protester had a bicycle chain wrapped around his fist and was threatening passers-by.

The protest was organized by the Olympic Resistance Network to "disturb 'business as usual.'" The ORN is an umbrella group for many causes surrounding the games, ranging from environmental concerns to economic issues.

The most prominent involved native Indians who want to reclaim their property ("No Olympics on Stolen Ancient Land") and those angry over the amount of money spent on Olympics as opposed to public housing ("Homes Not Games").

Riley Arcand lives near the store and called the vandalism "disgusting."

"We live in the most nicest part of town and everybody's excited about the Olympics," he said. "And then you have people who want to ruin it."

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100213/D9DRI4PO1.html

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

They should punish those dirty hippie's via bath.

[raymaga 25]

You always have people who want to ruin special events such as the Olympics.

I'm going to try not to let it ruin it for me.

[scandal 951]

You always have people who want to ruin special events such as the Olympics.

I'm going to try not to let it ruin it for me.

Yeah, some of them even go so far as to kidnap and kill athletes. I refer to the 11 Israeli athletes and coach at the Munich 1972 Olympics. Oh, but of course the show did go on... we wouldn't want terrorism to ruin anything of course.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Yeah, some of them even go so far as to kidnap and kill athletes. I refer to the 11 Israeli athletes and coach at the Munich 1972 Olympics. Oh, but of course the show did go on... we wouldn't want terrorism to ruin anything of course.

That was a horrendous tragedy.