BC Civil Liberties Calls on Canadian Border Services
to Explain their "Inland" Patrols
by BCCLA
 The BCCLA is calling on the Canadian Border Services Agency to explain the presence of "inland" patrols in downtown Vancouver which are increasingly being noted by the BCCLA Legal Observers.
"We are seeing an edgier tone to the policing of the demonstrations
with increased incidents of our Legal Observers being pointedly
photographed and addressed by name by police officers who are
apparently interested in letting our volunteer citizen observers know
that the police have gone to some effort to identify them."
Legal Observers attended at yesterday's major demonstrations which proceeded peacefully: an anti-war demonstration that took place at the Vancouver Art Gallery Monday evening and an anti-houseless demonstration took place at noon.
The housing demonstration culminated in a "tent village" that is situated in a vacant lot in the 100 block of West Hastings Street. While all went well at these events, the Legal Observers are noting policing changes.
Micheal Vonn, Policy Director, BCCLA: "We are sensing a shift in the policing culture of the public demonstrations, in particular we are noting the presence of Canadian Border Services Agents patrolling public space. We are unclear on their authority and mandate and ask the CBSA to clarify for the public what they are doing patrolling our downtown streets."
The Legal Observers have also seen Corrections Officers present at demonstrations and will be seeking clarification on this as well.
Vonn: "We are seeing an edgier tone to the policing of the demonstrations with increased incidents of our Legal Observers being pointedly photographed and addressed by name by police officers who are apparently interested in letting our volunteer citizen observers know that the police have gone to some effort to identify them."
For immediate release
British Columbia Civil Liberties Association
February 16, 2010
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