| Salt Lake City |
 |
 |
| GER |
12 |
16 |
7 |
35 |
 |
| USA |
10 |
13 |
11 |
34 |
|
| NOR |
11 |
7 |
6 |
24 |
|
| CAN |
6 |
3 |
8 |
17 |
|
| RUS |
6 |
6 |
4 |
16 |
|
| AUT |
2 |
4 |
10 |
16 |
|
| ITA |
4 |
4 |
4 |
12 |
|
| FRA |
4 |
5 |
2 |
11 |
|
| SUI |
3 |
2 |
6 |
11 |
|
| NED |
3 |
5 |
0 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
Police brace for anti-Games demonstration in S.L.
By Derek Jensen
Deseret News Olympic specialist
Police and protesters were bracing today for what could be the biggest demonstration since the 2002 Winter Games began five days ago.
Local anti-Olympic protesters will join with activists across the nation Tuesday for what they are calling the National Day of Action Against State Repression. Local protesters planned to meet on the corner of Main Street and 200 South in downtown Salt Lake City Tuesday at noon to voice their displeasure with the "militarization" of the Olympics.
"In terms of pound-for-pound trouble this may be" the biggest demonstration to date at the Games, Salt Lake Police Sgt. Craig Gleason said. "This is a more militant group so perhaps there will be some more trouble."
The anti-Games Web site ( www.burntheolympics.org) calls for protesters to "gather in the thick of Olympic tourist hot spots" and "bring bikes, flags, signs, banners, instruments . . . whatever you want to reclaim space from the Olympic police state."
The group has refused to file for a protest permit, and protesters say they're expecting arrests at today's demonstration.
So far, protests during the Olympics have remained relatively peaceful. Five people participating in the "March for Our Lives," by a social and economic justice group, were arrested before opening ceremonies Friday after they refused police orders to disperse.
The pre-Olympic rumors of hundreds and thousands of protestors converging on Salt Lake for the Games have yet to materialize. Police have also tried to intervene early in protest actions to keep them from getting out of hand, Gleason said.
"It's been almost a pleasure to work with these other groups and we hope that it works out that way tomorrow," Gleason said Monday.
Some local activists, however, complain they've been the target of police surveillance and harassment.
"Police are following, photographing, detaining, and ticketing activists that work in Salt Lake City," read a statement from one anti-Games Web site. "Nationally, the government is working under the guise of 'preventing terrorism' to crack down on all those who speak out against the destruction and colonization of the land."
Gleason said Salt Lake police only track activists that have broken the law. Additional officers will be on hand and on call Tuesday to respond if demonstrators begin breaking laws.
"We hope that we're able to meet with and speak with the leaders of that group," Gleason said. "and establish something that we both can be happy about."
E-MAIL: djensen@desnews.com
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February 12, 2002
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