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RCMP accuse protesters of cutting healthy trees to block logging road access

“18 living trees had been cut with chainsaws and felled across the road, blocking vehicle access. One person on a tripod structure was also noted to be smoking a cigarette surrounded by dry and tinder forest.” — RCMP Chief Superintendent John Brewer

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VICTORIA — The RCMP is accusing Fairy Creek anti-logging protesters of cutting down 18 healthy trees and placing them across the road to block access for forestry company Teal-Jones.

In a media release, RCMP Chief Superintendent John Brewer said he visited the injunction area Saturday and noted “18 living trees had been cut with chainsaws and felled across the road, blocking vehicle access. One person on a tripod structure was also noted to be smoking a cigarette surrounded by dry and tinder forest.”

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Since August 2020, members of the Rainforest Flying Squad and other environmental activists have set up moving blockades in their bid to prevent logging and road-building in old-growth forests. In April, B.C. Supreme Court granted Teal-Jones an injunction intended to stop protesters from blocking roads in Tree Farm Licence 46, north of Port Renfrew.

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The RCMP began enforcing the injunction on May 18. To date, 494 people have been arrested and may face criminal contempt of court charges.

A protester, among those trying to protect old growth timber from logging, sits on a tripod built to obstruct the road at Waterfall camp in the Fairy Creek area of Vancouver Island.
A protester, among those trying to protect old growth timber from logging, sits on a tripod built to obstruct the road at Waterfall camp in the Fairy Creek area of Vancouver Island. Photo by JENNIFER OSBORNE /REUTERS

Brewer said he is “gravely concerned” by this new tactic of felling trees, which breaches the court-ordered injunction.

“On top of their escalating violence, they are now committing these egregious safety violations by falling healthy living trees and digging trenches on the road. It’s only a matter of time before someone, whether a fellow protester, supporter or police officer is seriously injured,” said the press release.

Also on Saturday, a group of people, including seniors, from Victoria was escorted into the injunction area by RCMP officers to have a picnic in Avatar Grove. Afterwards, the group was escorted out.

Most were peaceful, said the media release. However, some became confrontational with police and 16 people were arrested. They were processed and released in Port Renfrew.

Attempts to reach members of the Rainforest Flying Squad for comment have been unsuccessful.

Read more Victoria Times Colonist new here

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