VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) They came, they built consensus for two hours, and then hit the streets to protest corporate greed and a host of other global problems.

Occupy Vancouver served up a buffet of issues and complaints as about 5,000 of men, women and children massed on the north lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Saturday.

Organizers spent the better part of two hours speaking to the crowd about building consensus, laying down ground rules for speakers and how to organize themselves.

They employed a “human microphone” rather than a traditional sound system at first, with the crowd repeating instructions and questions back to those standing on a makeshift stage, employing hand signals to signal agreement and disagreement.

“March at one…to financial district,” yelled one organizer on stage to the crowd.

“March at one..to financial district!” people shouted back.

Another organizer then read out what they called the “basis of unity.”

“We are committed to an inclusive and welcoming space to addressing issues of oppression [and] discrimination,” he said.

With the rules set down, speaker after speaker used an electronic microphone to rail against corporate bailouts, climate change and the Harper government.
    
“It’s about getting corporations and banks to pay the same as everyone else does…a fair taxation system!” shouted one organizer.
        
“Resources are something we all need to survive. We all have basic human needs,” said a spokesman with Zeitgeist Vancouver.

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(Video courtesy Vancouver2010Tyranny via YouTube)

Some looked for votes in the upcoming municipal elections.

“Menard Caissy, running for mayor,” said one young man. “I’ve been waiting an hour. The reason I can’t run anywhere independently is because of corporations!” he yelled.

Well-known environmental activist and grandmother Betty Krawczyk received huge cheers as she rallied the crowd to action.

“When we withdraw our permission for them to have power over us, they don’t have that power!” she bellowed.

Thousands of people then hit Hornby Street for a march through downtown Vancouver.

Organizer Matty, who helped direct questions on the main stage, admits it’s a slow process, but said this is the first time they’ve tried.

“[It's] not easy. Everybody has different views and we want to hear everybody’s views,” he said.

“Change is not easy, of course it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be the hardest thing we’ve ever done.  Making millions is easier than this, I guarantee you.”

Vancouver Police kept a close eye on the crowd, standing watch on the edges of the Art Gallery lawn and escorting various marches that branched off from protest central. But Const. Jana McGuinness reported few problems and no arrests as of Saturday afternoon.

“It’s been peaceful. It’s been interesting,” she said, noting one march was 2000-people strong. “There are a lot of different groups here with many different causes expressing their views.

“We’re keeping an eye on a few people that have come and gone with masks…no issues, though.

“We did say that anyone wearing a mask would probably come to our attention. We check it out, in many cases we’ll just talk to them, see what they’re all about and it’s over and done with.  But the reality is, again, we should stress that someone showing up in a balaclava all dressed in black is probably going to get a little more attention from us.”

A young man who goes by the name “Hippie” did show up wearing a grinning Guy Fawkes mask from V for Vendetta, but says he simply lifted up his mask when an officer approached and that was enough to appease them.

“I guess [the mask] is a symbol, another way to show that I want change, that I want a revolution,” he said. “I don’t just want some government bureaucrat to change the rules.  No, I want those government bureaucrats to go to jail.”

Hippie says he wants what he calls the one per cent of people getting richer to step forward.

EARLIER:
Police reassure downtown businesses

VPD Const. Jana McGuinness says store owners can expect full support from officers.

“They do have valid concerns about this large gathering, and the impact it might have on their business and their employees coming to and from work,” she says.  “We’re been letting them know that we’re listening to their concerns, that they have a heightened awareness of this event, they’ve taken steps among businesses to inform staff of what is coming, and that it’s unknown how big this event will get.”

She adds they’re encouraging constant communication during the rally.

“If someone were to come in and occupy their business, they need to let us know and we’ll assist as quickly as they can.  We don’t want to get into too much speculation at this point about what will happen, but everything indicates this will be peaceful and lawful.”

McGuinness explains they’ve recently been checking in with businesses in the area on a daily basis.

“We went out around the downtown core delivering a hand-out. We’re also speaking with them everyday on email, and going through some of the key leaders in the community and the security industry to help us share updates.”

Traffic tie-ups

Police are warning drivers that traffic could be affected by today’s event.  Cst. Jana McGuinness says offices are preparing for multiple marches, which could lead to rolling street closures.

“It is really good advice to be aware of what’s happening, check-in with the news, be informed if you are coming into the downtown area.  Some of the plans are not solidified just yet, so we’ll respond as quickly as we can and certainly facilitate the flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic as we can.”

Leo Knight with Paladin Security says organizers have promised a peaceful protest.

“It’s difficult to say what’s going to happen.  By all accounts, the signal coming from the organizers of this thing say it’s going to be peaceful, and I hope it is.  I hope they are true to their word.  However, we all know some of these folks from groups like the Anti-Poverty Coalition that can certainly escalate things in short order.”

Occupy protests are also planned for Victoria, Kelowna, Nanaimo and Nelson.

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