Active logging at heli camp
We've been struggling to hold the line as RCMP ramp up arrests and use increasingly dangerous and aggressive tactics. Last week we had more arrests than any other week, including more arrests of non-Indigenous elders than ever before. RCMP seem desperate to clear us out before the injunction expires on September 26th.
📍 FIRST: We need more help at camp. Numbers really matter, and you absolutely do not have to be arrested to make valuable contributions to the movement. Please come to camp self-sufficient and ready to camp. Meet at Granite Main and you'll be directed from there.
📍SECOND: If you can't come out, please consider donating. With $2,500 impound fees, supplies being stolen or destroyed by RCMP, and our ongoing legal fees, we very much need your support.
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Recommendations of the Technical Panel on Old-Growth Deferrals are expected to be made public this Thursday. This could be a game-changer; we'll keep you posted.
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Thursday, Sep 9 — 71 arrests after land defenders and forest protectors, before sunrise, linked arms in a strong line across the road. It took 4 hours for the RCMP to complete arrests as they tore defenders apart by their arms and legs, dragging them across the gravel road. RCMP created a wall, preventing media from taking videos. One protector sustained multiple cracked ribs, another had a thumb broken, a third was choked into unconsciousness and was taken out by ambulance. The mantra was: “Stay calm, breathe, and remember why we are all here.”
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A big week in court for ancient forests
Legal cases begin this week in Nanaimo.
▻ Fighting the injunction. Rainforest Flying Squad lawyers are fighting Teal Jones' request to extend the injunction. The current injunction expires on September 26. Teal Jones has requested that the injunction be extended for another year.
▻ Protesting excessive force. An RFS appeal addresses the excessive and ongoing RCMP violence and brutality against peaceful protesters.
▻ RCMP in contempt of court? An RFS action contends that RCMP are still employing illegal exclusion zones, despite the recent court ruling.
▻ Arguing for the public good. This ground-breaking case, funded by Elders for Ancient Trees, argues that the public good and harm to the environment must be considered in the granting of injunctions.
▻ The RCMP are requesting additional powers to stop, search, and arrest people, supported by the Attorney General of Canada.
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Elder Bill Jones was quoted in the Guardian: “We’re surprised at the RCMP’s determination to crush us. ...It’s not just us they’re wanting to crush – they want to protect the economic and regulatory process that the Canadian government uses to get what they want off the land, under the directions of the large corporations.”
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ACTION: Protect Endangered Species of Fairy Creek
Marbled Murrelets, Western Screech Owls, a rare lichen (Old-growth specklebelly lichen), and Pygmy Owls have all been found around Fairy Creek. With active logging underway in the Heli Camp area, we need immediate action to protect these at-risk species.
Please call at least one of these numbers today:
- Office of the Premier: 250-387-1715
- Katrine Conroy, Minister of FLNR: 250 387-6240
- Richard Manwaring, Deputy Minister, FLNR: 250-952-6500
- Andrea Wood, Director, Executive Operations, FLNR: 250-213-5598
- Allison Tripp, Manager, Executive Issues, FLNR:778-974-5876
- David Muter, Assistant Deputy Minister, FLNR resource stewardship division: 250-217-5385
- Darcy Peel, director, strategic initiatives, Species at Risk Recovery Branch: 778-220-3449
- Kendra Bennett, manager, species and ecosystems: 778 698-7030
- Christine Petrovcic, Species at Risk coordinator: 778-647-2000
- Jeffrey Shatford, Terrestrial Habitat specialist: 778-974-2402
Talking points:
- A rare, blue-listed lichen (Oldgrowth specklebelly lichen) was found near Heli Camp. It may be the largest population of this species on Vancouver Island. It was found in a partially logged cut-block, even though a BC Timber Sales document states this species needs to have a buffer zone of 200 metres because it is so sensitive.
- Clearly no biological survey could have been done previously, either by the government or by Teal Jones.
- The BioBlitz group found more than 62 observations of 14 vulnerable species, in a fairly superficial survey this summer. Much more investigation is needed.
- Ask them to look at the Fairy Creek project on iNaturalist to see how many species at risk live in this area, especially in the slope leading up to the Fairy Creek ridge (Heli Camp, River Camp, etc). https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/fairy-creek-research
- See the Sierra Club of BC media release about the 300 Marbled Murrelet sightings this summer alone at Fairy Creek, and radar confirmation -- but the ministry won't accept radar findings! https://sierraclub.bc.ca/teal-jones-has-begun-logging-in-area-with-confirmed-endangered-marbled-murrelet-sightings/
Thank you so much for every call you make!
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IN THE NEWS
September 14, Democracy Now: Fairy Creek: Indigenous-Led Blockade of Old-Growth Logging Is Canada’s Largest Civil Disobedience
Sep 13, Seattle Times, BC government continues logging of old growth as 2-year protest in the woods drags on
Sept 11, National Observer, The tiny lichen that could stop Teal-Jones logging Fairy Creek old growth
Sep 9, Ricochet, by Terrance Coste, Double standard: BC requires Indigenous consent for forest conservation but not logging
XRTV Victoria, Mark Nykanen, 37 min video on RCMP tactics at Fairy Creek
Sep 10, CBC News BCCLA heads to court over RCMP complaint delays
Sep 7, Indigenous Climate Action statement on Fairy Creek
Sep 7, Globe & Mail, At Fairy Creek, a war in the woods as police seek more power to clear blockades
June podcast, Justine Hunter, Globe and Mail, The politics of trees in Fairy Creek — A really useful piece on the Fairy Creek/NDP/Indigenous role in history of this, especially for those who new to understanding this conflict.
Yale School of the Environment: Why keeping mature forests intact is key to the climate fight
Science: The greatest climate-protecting technology ever devised
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We are honoured to do this work as guests on traditional territory of the Pacheedaht and Ditidaht First Nations. We work with utmost respect for the land and all its relations, human and nonhuman.
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Please help us by forwarding this newsletter to any friends or family you feel would like to be involved or learn more. They can join our list here.
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About Rainforest Flying Squad
The Rainforest Flying Squad is a volunteer-driven, grassroots, non-violent direct-action movement committed to protecting the last stands of globally significant ancient temperate rainforest on Vancouver Island. Rainforest Flying Squad and LastStandforForests work with other like-minded organizations. We stand in solidarity with Elder Bill Jones of the Pacheedaht Nation.
More information at laststandforforests.com.
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