SCM @ UBC Olympics Resolution

Passed by SCM @ UBC, 13 October 2009

Whereas SCM at UBC is an interdenominational Christian organization dedicated to following Christ by working with and for Vancouver’s poorest – the residents of the Downtown Eastside (DTES) and homeless people in general;

Whereas our aims and methods are informed by scripture, and we seek to mobilize UBC students to get involved in these issues, by volunteering for ministries that serve the homeless, and by engaging in political activism surrounding issues of economic justice;

Whereas the Vancouver 2010 Olympics have had an extraordinarily detrimental impact on the poor, particularly through raising rents, destroying nonmarket and other low income housing, more than doubling the city’s homeless population and leading to laws that effectively criminalize the poor;

Whereas the Games have also caused massive ecological destruction, incurred large public debts and created a security culture that has violated civil liberties;

Whereas SCM Canada has already issued a declaration of solidarity with No2010 and other anti-Olympic groups;

Whereas Isaiah 1:16-17 (NRSV) reads, “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from beneath my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”

Whereas Isaiah 65:22 (NRSV) reads, “They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.”

Whereas Romans 12:21 (NRSV) reads, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Whereas Ephesians 1:1-3 (NRSV) reads “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace.”

The Student Christian Movement at the University of British Columbia is hereby resolved:

I. To join, assist and endorse the 2010 Welcoming Committee,

II. To invite other Christian groups on campus (Christian Clubs, Congregations, Campus Ministries and etc) to help plan and participate in a march to and rally at Thunderbird Arena (an Olympic venue) following morning worship on Ash Wednesday,

III. To encourage other individuals and organizations, particularly in the Church, to do the same,

IV. To strongly discourage others, especially Christians, from attending, volunteering for or in any other way supporting the Games,

V. To remain respectful in our criticism of our brothers and sisters in Christ who disagree with our position regarding the Olympics, recognizing that ours is not the only faithful response to the Games and that God’s love is as much for those who support 2010 as it is for those who oppose it,

VI. To restrict SCM Activism to purely nonviolent means, including a refusal to engage in property destruction,

VII. To stand in solidarity with the signatories of the Olympics Resistance Network statement of unity, without endorsing said statement and with the caveat that SCM will not honor the principles of the statement in instances of personal violence,

VIII. To cooperate as much as possible with other anti-Olympic groups and

IX. To continue to prayerfully consider the matter, acknowledging that the final word has not been said.

In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.