Ask the Canadian Olympic Committee to Boycott the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Protest of Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

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This petition has been created by Dan H. and may not represent the views of the Avaaz community.

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MARCEL AUBUT, President, Canadian Olympic Committee, RICHARD POUND, International Olympic Commitee Member & Member of the Board of Directors, Canadian Olympic Committee, TRICIA SMITH, Vice-President, Canadian Olympic Committee, GORDON PETERSON, Vice-President, Canadian Olympic Committee, CHRISTOPHER R. OVERHOLT, Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Olympic Committee, BECKY SCOTT, International Olympic Committee Member (IOC Athletes’ Commission), ADAM VAN KOEVERDEN, Chair, Athletes’ Commission

Russia's anti-gay laws threaten the basic human rights and safety of LGBT Russian nationals on a daily basis. In February 2014, athletes and tourists from all over the world will flock to Sochi, Russia for the Winter Olympic Games. Olympic competitors and visitors will not be exempt from Russia's barbaric, anti-gay laws during their stay. It is imperative that as a country that believes in the equality of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, that Canadians send a message to the Russian government. We do not support the hate they are perpetuating. To avoid taking a stance would not only ignore the struggle of millions of Russians, but also put the freedom and safety of our athletes and their supporters at risk. For this reason, the Canadian Olympic Committee must threaten to boycott the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

From the Toronto Star (July 26, 2013):

"Sochi Games already rife with problems, July 20

Just a few months before the Winter Olympics in Russia, President Vladimir Putin has signed an anti-gay law reminiscent of Nazi Germany. Adolf Hitler banned gay organizations, scholarly books regarding homosexuality were burned and homosexuals were branded as degenerates and sent to concentration camps to be killed.

Putin has also banned gay organizations and it is a criminal offence to provide information on sexual orientation to children, making those who are different feel isolated, confused and the target of bullying. There is a high suicide rate among LGBT youth and this lack of support will surely cost many young lives.

Under Putin’s law, a gay Canadian Olympic athlete could be arrested for hugging his partner after winning a medal and would not be allowed to acknowledge being gay in an interview. Gay and pro-gay foreigners could be arrested and detained for 14 days before being expelled from the country.

Violence against LGBT people in Russia is de-facto sanctioned by the government and has resulted in brutal attacks and murders. Many people fail to understand that one’s sexual orientation is not a choice and that up to 10 per cent of the world’s population is LGBT.

It would send a strong message to Russia if Canada and other countries were to boycott the 2014 Winter Olympics in protest of this hateful law. We must never forget the gay holocaust lest history be repeated.

Anne Morris-Dadson, Richmond Hill"

For more information on Russia's anti-gay crackdown: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/22/opinion/russias-anti-gay-crackdown.html?_r=2&

Ask the Canadian Olympic Committee to Boycott the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Protest of Russia's Anti-Gay Laws

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