For immediate release
June 10, 2021
Massive Rally Defending Old Growth Forests Planned for BC Legislature
Victoria, BC - A broad coalition of elders, protectors of old-growth, defenders of Fairy Creek, academics and determined citizens from across the province are gathering at the BC Legislature lawns Friday, June 11, 12 – 2 pm, to call on Premier John Horgan’s NDP government to ensure all old-growth forests in the province are permanently protected.
While the NDP government’s official ratification of the recent announcement by the Pacheedaht, Dididaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations for a 2-year deferral on old-growth logging at Fairy Creek watershed and Central Walbran is an encouraging first step, it falls short of what is needed.
Vicky Husband, environmental activist and rally speaker confirms. “Let’s call Premier John Horgan’s sleazy forest policies what they are: a colonial defence of 'talk and log’, and a moral failure to protect the province’s remaining old growth forests. Horgan has sparked a brutal new war in the woods by denying two realities: our forests have been massively over cut for little added value, and we have now come to the long-predicted end of our old-growth forests. It is time for everyone to stand up for Indigenous rights and protection of the seriously endangered remaining old growth forests.”
This grassroots coalition under the guidance and wisdom of Pacheedaht Elder, Bill Jones, has declared its intention to advocate for a immediate pause on old growth clear cutting and support the Fairy Creek blockades until all old-growth forests in BC are protected.
“I will continue standing for the land until I am dead,” Elder Jones said. “I feel like an old growth tree is worth the same as my life. I implore people to continue to stand with me to protect our forests from destruction and colonialism; we need allies on the ground to stop old growth logging my home territory, and for my future generations and relatives.”
A Press Conference moderated by Saul Arbess, Rainforest Flying Squad Core Member, will be held at noon, preceding the rally. The press conference panel will include indigenous voices, forestry researchers and environmental champions.
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Press Conference Panel:
Patrick Jones, nephew of Elder Bill Jones, Pacheedaht Nation
Shawna Knight, Rainforest Flying Squad Core Member and Tree Sitter
Andy McKinnon, Metchosin Cllr., Retired Ecologist, BC Min. of Forests
Vicky Husband, Environmental Activist, Member of the Order of Canada
Brandi Lancaster- L’alittlilakw of Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw Villages
Brianna Bear, of Songhees Nation, will open the rally, following the Press Conference, with a welcome, territorial acknowledgement, and lead a ritual honouring the 215 Indigenous children whose remains were recently found at the Kamloops Residential School. Please wear orange in honour of the children.
Rally Co-Ms:
Jessica Ostroff, Rainforest Flying Squad Tree Sitter
Briony Penn, Environmentalist, Author
Kumi Nash, Youth blockader
Rainbow Eyes, Rainforest Flying Squad Defender
Rally Presenters:
Will O’Connell, Rainforest Flying Squad Core Member
Pablo, Rainforest Flying Squad Core Member
Gregg McElroy, Canadian Orca Rescue Society
Dr. Suzanne Simard, UBC Professor of Forestry, via audio-link
Bobby Arbess, Rainforest Flying Squad Core Member
Rose Henry, Tla’amin Nation
Kathy Code, Rainforest Flying Squad Core Member
Tiffany Joseph, Artist and Environmental Speaker
Carol Tootill, Rainforest Flying Squad Core Member
This event will be Livestreamed by Jason Guille of Stream of Consciousness:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9nVpbLrFuI
For more information go to: https://www.forestmarchbc.com
Contacts:
Spokespersons:
Saul Arbess 1-250-383-5878 sarbess@shaw.ca
Sally Glover 1-250-704-9733 sallyeglover@gmail.com
Media Contacts:
Kathy Code 1-250-418-5313 codekat999@gmail.com
Taryn Skalbania 1-250-767-6456 tarob@shaw.ca
To read the latest COVID-19 public health measures or for more info visit:https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics/covid-19-novel-coronavirus. |
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| Images of forest defenders at Fairy Creek |
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| Photo credit: Colin Smith @colinsmithtakespics |
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| Photo credit: Colin Smith @colinsmithtakespics |
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| Click to watch this little animation. |
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