RCMP are wrong to silence media coverage of the Fairy Creek blockades trying to protect B.C.'s old-growth trees from logging, writes freelance writer and climate justice organizer Maia Wikler.
An environmental coalition is calling on B.C. government to take advantage of available federal funding to protect old-growth forests, support forestry communities and end its current war in the woods.
Canada’s National Observer, along with several other news organizations, is planning to file a legal application requesting the RCMP allow journalists fair access to cover the Fairy Creek blockades happening on Vancouver Island.
The forests around Port Renfrew, which are in the traditional territory of the Ditidaht and Pacheedaht First Nations, have had numerous blockades set up since August 2020.
Green Party MP Paul Manly is calling on the federal government to protect threatened western screech owls spotted in the Caycuse Valley area, where RCMP have arrested old-growth activists at the Fairy Creek blockades this week.
RCMP unexpectedly arrested a number of old-growth activists with the Fairy Creek blockades inside the control zone near the Caycuse Camp early Thursday morning.
The RCMP are taking the first steps to enforce an injunction against the Fairy Creek old-growth blockades, but protesters worry new police control areas will limit public accountability around arrests.
The Pacheedaht leadership does not welcome old-growth activists within its territory on south Vancouver Island, and it is the nation's right to determine how forestry resources will be used, read a statement from elected and hereditary chiefs on Monday.
Fairy Creek activists say Thursday's court decision to remove blockaders protecting old-growth trees from logging in cut blocks on southern Vancouver Island will only act as a “flashpoint” for growing public support.