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Harry Bloy: Liberal MLA Called Olympic Protesters "Terrorists"

by Scott Wu | November 10, 2009 at 02:41 pm

467 views | 1 Recommendation | 1 comment

Harry Bloy, Burnaby-Lougheed Liberal MLA, said in the Legislature that the 2010 Olympics protesters are "terrorists" with "limited intellect". Bloy made the comment after the disturbance on the Olympic torch event in Victoria. In an interview the next day, Harry Bloy showed no regret in calling protesters terrorists: "Individuals that want to disrupt, intimidate and then terrorize animals and people and cause commotion, I stand by what I said."

Harry Bloy made the comments after Richmond Centre MLA Rob Howard recognized the economic opportunity the Olympics can bring. Bloy said: "You know, there was a disappointing factor about the Olympics. It was that 200-odd group of terrorists who came to Victoria from across Canada to interrupt the Games. Anyone who could support this group should be ashamed of themselves."

He continued by saying: "They do not understand, these terrorists, the potential goodwill and economic benefits that come from these Games, because they have a limited intellect and do not understand how the world truly operates."

Kathy Corrigan, NDP's Burnaby-Deer Lake MLA, was surprised to hear Bloy's comments. She too believed protesters should not cross the line but thought Bloy's comments were "a bit over the top." She said, "We want to do a great job and be a great showcase to the world and I think anything that inflames people is not helpful."

In the interview the next day, Harry Bloy said:

"I fully support the right to peaceful protest. People have a right to express their opinion, same as I do," he said.

"But I really don't support people who use violence and intimidation to promote their agenda or to terrorize horses by throwing marbles in front of them that could've caused a stampede or an injury to a policeman or a death to somebody in the crowd," he said, referring to some protesters' actions at the torch parade in Victoria last week.

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paradoxymoron (not verified)

at 02:10 on November 29th, 2009

That's all he is---hot air. There's no evidence of any economic benefit other building contracts and the leeches in VANOC. The Olympics are a huge drain on the province and we will have nothing to show for it except cut social programs.