NOW
WE WAIT
I've been overwhelmed a number of times since our struggle with the
COC, VANOC and the IOC, but not in a way you might think. It's not threats
from Olympic organizations that overwhelm us the most, because when
you know in your heart you are right it gives you faith and strength.
Although I have to admit, some nights I do lose sleep and it has been
hard on my family.
Olympic organizations sent us letters that were meant to intimidate.
Well we weren't . . . and now that they see they don't have public support
they faded back, but it still makes us nervous wondering what they are
doing. First they bullied us to see if we would run, and when we didn't
they left the ax hanging over our heads.
Some people see it as a sign we won the battle and the war is over,
but until I officially hear from them in this respect we have to remain
vigilant. It's stressful to live like this and unfair of them to treat
us so disrespectfully in our own home. It's questionable sportsmanship
to say the least.
Personally, I think they're just too busy carting away wheelbarrows
of money (almost $500 million to date and growing -- more than twice
what they expected) from Bell Canada, Bell GlobeMedia CTV, Rogers Media,
RBC and HBC (Hudson Bay Company).
Jacques Rogge, IOC president recently told all of Canada that corporations
wouldn't invest in 2010 if the Olympia restaurant kept its sign. Apparently
Rogge is wrong.
So now we wait.
Regarding being overwhelmed, ironically I've mostly been overwhelmed
with generosity and compassion from people who support us. For every
mean-spirited thing Olympic organizations do to intimidate us, a thousand
people do something nice. The media too have been more than understanding,
and except for one local paper they have reported both sides of the
story in an unbiased and compassionate manner. Hopefully I will get
the one hold-out to at least consider the small business person's side
too. I don't blame them for following the big money, but it would be
nice if they more fairly acknowledged our position. Criticizing us without
talking to us or presenting our side of the story is not good journalism.
It's also unsportsmanlike.
Literally, thousands of people, some complete strangers who have never
been to our restaurant have pledged their support. Thousands of people
also made a special trip to our restaurant just to sign the petition.
One lady brought her two dogs, "Q & Kinsey" and they stamped
their ink laden paws on the petition.
Even children know that what Olympic organizations are doing to us isn't
right.
Everyone's kindness is overwhelming. Some people even pledged money
to us for a legal fund. Some wrote letters to Olympic organizations
on our behalf beseeching the COC, VANOC and the IOC to leave us alone.
One letter in particular is especially poignant. It is well written
and heartfelt and I'd like to share it with you . . .
And thank you everyone very, very much for your support . . .
Please come by and see us. Say hello, sign our petition if you haven't already, and tell us what you think. Our struggle continues and we still need your support.
If you're up to it, send Mr. Furlong a letter and tell him what you think too -- please be respectful though, and don't forget to tell him that the Olympics is for everyone, not just big businesses. (His address is above in Ray's letter)
Please click here if you'd like to see some of the thousands of signatures we've collected on our "original written" petition, plus some of the articles the media have written about us. When you click please be patient though, the list of names and numerous articles are quite long and it takes a bit of time to load.
Click here to view names on the "email version" of the petition
EVEN A DOG KNOWS IT'S NOT FAIR . . .Click to see what Vancouver's Canines say about it!
Click here to SIGN the email version of our petition.
Click here to see what others are saying . . .
All the best,
Mosi Alvand
Olympia Restaurant
998 Denman St. at Nelson
Vancouver, BC, Canada
604.688.8333 or 688.8332