Fairy Creek blockades near Port Renfrew remain despite the risk of arrest by the RCMP and objections from both Premier John Horgan and leaders of the Pacheedaht nation.
Earlier this month, the Teal-Jones Group, the logging company who intends to cut block Tree Farm Licence (TFL) 46, served Fairy Creek protestors an injunction granted on April 1st by the BC Supreme Court.
Since then, the blockades have remained, but the RCMP have yet to enforce the injunction.
This week, comments from both the Premier and the Pacheedaht Nation’s Chiefs and Council have surfaced, urging the protestors to move on.
“The First Nation does not welcome unsolicited involvement or interference in their territory, including activism,” said a statement from the Pacheedaht released Monday.
But, some members of the Pacheedaht Nation, such as Elder William Jones, have been supporting protesters in the territory.
“I implore people to continue to stand with me to protect our forests from destruction and colonialism, because we need allies on the ground to stop all old growth logging in my home territory,” responded Bill Jones in a statement on Tuesday.
The Rainforest Flying Squad, who makes up the majority of protestors, have responded to the injunctions and objections via Facebook.
“Our frontline strategy is to continue to peacefully defend the last stands of ancient forest in the face of a BC Supreme court injunction and potentially in the face of imminent mass arrests, while government stands by offering nothing but empty promises, foot-dragging and deference to the status quo.”
Victoria Buzz visits Fairy Creek blockades
Last week, Victoria Buzz visited the Fairy Creek blockades to better understand the situation.
At this point, the injunction had been served, but Premier Horgan and the Pacheedaht First Nation had yet to comment on the situation.
Below is our interview with Yogi Shambu and Shawna Knight, members of the Rainforest Flying Squad, the crew who has been standing at the blockades since August 2020.
An excerpt from my interview with Rainforest Flying Squad members Shawna Knight and Yogi Shambu, discussing #PremierHorgan and the injunction served at the #FairyCreekBlockade: #yyj #victoriabuzz@victoriabuzzes pic.twitter.com/YJew23Lf2f
— Ryan Hook (@ryanhookwrites) April 14, 2021
The Fairy Creek blockades consist of two blockades that lead up to the site of the Teal-Jones group cut blocks.
There are close to 100 people camping in tents along the logging road.
Portions of the forest have already been logged and cut. There is no service or radios. There are kitchens to cook food and people are encouraged to maintain trails and roads. The public donates food.
There is also a GoFundMe that has raised over $275,000 to assist with the costs associated with the blockades, such as legal fees.
Protestors have no intention of moving, despite the injunction, and told Victoria Buzz that there were a variety ways protestors will stand their ground.
“There are arborists who have pulley systems in place to attach themselves to the trees. And there’s even a woman who has figured out how to block the logging road by attaching herself to a PVC pipe,” said protestor, Forest Tate.
“It’s the Moulin Rouge of blockades,” said Yogi Shambu.
As of late, the Fairy Creek blockades have seen a vast amount of support via social media.
Below is a video from Matt Cave, who captured the blockades and Fairy Creek area earlier this month.
