From bicycle locks around the neck to pulley systems in the trees, and now a dangerous heat wave, protestors at Fairy Creek near Port Renfrew appear to be going the extra mile to make their statement clear: protect old-growth.
On Wednesday, June 30th, RCMP issued a daily statement, as part of their updates on the enforcement of the injunction, which detailed their concern over the “very dangerous methods of breaching the injunction.”
“There is no need to attach chains or locks around their necks, or literally stitch or glue themselves together as a form of protest. Lawful and peaceful protest can take place without these dangerous practices,” RCMP said in a statement.
“RCMP have taken significant efforts to address the risks with our specially trained experts, and by conducting medical assessments before, during and after extraction based on the tactics we are seeing.”
Throughout the weekend, officers were conducting wellness checks due to the heat and they remind protestors that the remote location of the injunction area is far from any local medical centre or hospital, if they need medical attention.
Despite the danger and arrests, protestors at Fairy Creek remain.
RCMP continue to arrest protestors at the #FairyCreek blockades, going to elaborate lengths to unlock and separate protestors from their locking mechanisms.
Below are pictures provided by the RCMP. #yyj @victoriabuzzes pic.twitter.com/GY84c0TzpP
— Ryan Hook (@ryanhookwrites) June 23, 2021
With a total of 343 people arrested so far, arrests keep piling up and protestors keep coming back, with 22 having been arrested more than once.
And it doesn’t appear the heat wave will deter protestors either.
In fact, one expert says it makes their statement that much clearer.
“ [The heat wave] presents a lot of clarity on the issue of old-growth,” Torrance Coste said, National Campaign Director of The Wilderness Committee.
“Whether you’re driving into a clear cut, or you know how old-growth fights and defends against climate change, you can feel how old-growth and ancient forests protect us; the heat wave really brings the need for old-growth into focus.”
Despite the BC government honouring the request of the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations for deferring old-growth harvesting and their plans to “modernize the forestry sector,” it’s unclear if and when protestors will ever stand down.
On June 24th, Huu-ay-aht First Nations released a statement that they were disappointed in a report from the Ancient Forest Alliance, an environmental group associated with the blockades.
“The Ancient Forest Alliance report gives little consideration to the economic and social needs of First Nations. Just like the rest of BC, we need to develop a strong and vibrant economy so we can look after the needs of our people,” read the statement.
“We will follow the guidance of our elders and citizens to make the decisions we think are right – we are asking others to respect that process and follow our direction on our territory.”
Coste said that while he understands and respects title land owners, protestors are fighting the governments which uphold the current model of forestry.
“If the name of the game is creating jobs, livelihoods, and properly taking care of the forests, this could be an economy built on making the forest healthier,” said Coste.
“Is there a way to manage forests, climate, as well as logging companies the way they are now? Unfortunately not.”
RCMP will continue to update the media on number of arrests daily.
This is a developing story.
