[antiwar-van] Press Release: BCCLA asks Translink to investigate free expression issue, again

[Kira Koshelanyk]

BCCLA asks Translink to investigate free expression issue, again

The BCCLA has written to ask Translink and the Transit Police to 
investigate allegations that the transit system has again infringed on 
basic free expression rights. A group of political activists 
distributing a free publication that discusses international political 
issues allege that they were arrested and 50  of their newspapers seized
 in the common area of Metrotown Skytrain Station. They were released 
without charge, but did not get their newspapers back. Translink’s 
posted rules, and the BCCLA’s understanding of free expression rights 
protected under the Charter, permit the distribution of non-commercial 
information at Skytrain stations in common areas.

“We’re disappointed to be writing, again, to Translink on an apparent free 
expression issue,” said Lindsay Lyster, President of the BCCLA. 
“Translink and the Transit Police must investigate these allegations 
and, if necessary, retrain their staff to remind them that their jobs as
 public officials are not just to tolerate free expression, but also to 
facilitate it.”

Last year, the BCCLA wrote to Translink and the 
Transit Police expressing concern when a transit police officer removed a
 woman from the public transit system for wearing a button he found 
offensive. The BCCLA intervened in litigation against Translink’s policy
 of requiring all “political” content to be removed from advertising 
before it would be approved. The Supreme Court of Canada ordered 
Translink to permit political advertising. During the Olympics, the 
BCCLA and the Transit Police worked together to correct a flyer 
distributed by the Transit Police in error that suggested that merchants
 should call police if individuals appeared to be protesters.

“Given Translink’s challenging history around free expression, we would expect
 they would work extra hard to ensure free expression was protected and 
facilitated,” said Lindsay Lyster, President of the BCCLA. “That we find
 ourselves in a situation again where a group of people distributing a 
free political newspaper are alleging that their basic and protected 
free expression rights were violated, and their property seized, is very
 troubling.”

Click here to read the BCCLA’s letter to Translink >>
http://bccla.org/wp-content/uploads/012//9//0120920--Letter-Translink-Free-Expression.pdf

For more information, please contact:

Lindsay Lyster, President: (04)) 10--227<

David Eby, Executive Director: (78)) 65--997<