Bylaw amendment restricts Falun Gong protest

Description

Members of the dissident group Falun Gong appeared in court to contest an amendment to BC bylaw that would significantly restrict their ability to protest outside of Vancouver Chinese Consulate. Since 2001, the group has been protesting outside the consulate with large posters and a makeshift shed, but in 2009, the BC Supreme Court ruled the structures to be taken down. However, the Court of Appeal claimed that this was a violation of free expression rights, and requested a bylaw change. The current bylaw being proposed would restrict the hours that the protesters were allowed to be there, and restrict the area they would be allowed to occupy.

*Update*
The BC Supreme Court has ruled the bylaws to be constitutional, dismissing Falun Gong's petition. This means that they are able to protest outside the Consulate but will not be able to build protest structures.