Canada's Olympic city is trying to get rid of dissent during the Winter Games and become a Pleasantville where wearing a politically incorrect T-shirt could lead to a fine, civil-rights advocates say.

Two Olympic critics fear that's the goal of a new Vancouver bylaw and they are challenging it in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, with the support of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

"The intent is to cleanse the city of dissent, to create an atmosphere for the Games that looks as if everybody supports them," said Alissa Westergard-Thorpe of the Olympic Resistance Network.

She and Dr. Chris Shaw, a University of B.C. professor and anti-Games activist, Wednesday filed a statement of claim seeking a declaration that the "Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games" bylaw violates the Charter of Rights.

They hope the case can be heard before the Games begin so protesters don't need to fear possible bylaw violations when they chant anti-Games slogans, carry placards, and sell or wear t-shirts that say, among other things, "No 2010 Police State" or "The Olympics should be homeless, not the people."

Ms. Westergard-Thorpe said protest activities will be restricted under the bylaw, which sets a fine of $2,000 for anyone who violates the regulations.

City officials say the activists are unfairly giving a Machiavellian twist to a straightforward bylaw meant to control illicit advertising, not to limit civil freedoms.

But Ms. Westergard-Thorpe said there is no mistaking the wording of the bylaw, which states: "During the games period ... a person ... must not distribute any advertising material or install or carry any sign unless licensed to do so by the city."

Under the bylaw a person cannot display any sign on a street unless it "is a celebratory sign."
People also cannot "cause any disturbance ... interfering with the enjoyment of entertainment on city land by other persons," and can't be in possession of "voice amplification equipment" on city property, for the duration of the Games.

"If you look at any protest in Vancouver, the things that we do, holding signs, chanting, giving out leaflets, maybe even selling political T-shirts, are all restricted ... on public property. This isn't a question of going into the [Olympic] venue and unfurling a Free Tibet banner inside private property ... This is about public space," said Ms. Westergard-Thorpe.

But Geoff Meggs, a city councillor, said the activists have misread the regulations, which were brought in so bylaw officers can respond quickly if anyone other than a legitimate sponsor tries to use the Olympics as an advertising platform.

"These [regulations] do strengthen the city's hand to deal with inappropriate commercial behaviour, but they are not intended, nor is there any evidence in terms of the city's actions or the police actions, to deal with free speech and civil rights," said Mr. Meggs.

He said the city is concerned about "the distribution of flyers and material which can become litter, ambush marketing in terms of building wraps and banners that can be hung up commercially."

Asked if under the new bylaw anyone could be fined for carrying an anti-Olympics sign, Mr. Meggs said: "No, we're going to have our hands full without worrying about that ... We understand that people have civil rights and we're glad they do. I want them to."

But David Eby, Executive Director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, said such assurances don't give him any comfort.

"We simply don't trust that the application of the bylaw will be done in a proper way that respects freedom of expression," he said. "We are looking at what's written down. We will always as lawyers ... look to the written word of statute before we look to a press release or a public statement."

Mr. Eby said that when the bylaw was being drafted he met with and wrote to council suggesting wording changes that would make it clear the objective was to regulate advertising, not suppress protest.

But he said officials refused to make the changes sought, thereby fuelling suspicions that the true intent is to facilitate a crackdown on protest during the Games.