[news] Cathedral Grove Protestors Stop Logging

[ron]

from cathedralgrove.com

     Report on today's confrontation between loggers and 
environmentalists at Cathedral Grove.

February 12, 2004
Protesters Threatened With Arrest/Injuction to be sought

A half dozen loggers complete with parks representatives showed up at 7 
this morning at the site of the proposed Parking lot at Cathedral Grove. 
Protesters refused to leave, and for the first time the RCMP were called 
in. Once they had arrived, the police threatened protester “Jim 
Erkiletian” from Nanaimo with arrest, to which he replied, “well if it 
comes down to it, this is where I have to make my stand”. They left 
shortly afterwards, having warned him that civil actions could also be 
taken against him. Shortly after loggers left. Later in the day, a 
lowbed trailer arrived and removed the hoe-chucker, an excavator with 
grapple jaws used to move large logs.

We also learned from reporters on site that an injunction will be sought 
after by the crown. Our lawyer in Vancouver, Cameron Ward (604-688-6881) 
has notified the ministries that he wishes to fight such an injunction 
if it is applied for with Carmanah Forestry Society being the respondent.
“These injuctions are rarely defeated in British Columbia” Haskell 
stated, “as there is no endangered species law or any other legal 
avenues to take, but we have to do anything we can do fight this 
half-baked plan that is pushed through without public review.” “It 
should be no surprise to the public that individuals are willing to be 
arrested” said Haskell, “as there are no legal avenues for them to take 
and no opportunity for their concerns to be integrated into a workable 
plan.”

“We are calling for a stop-work order and a meaningful open and full 
public process so that the public can work with the government to 
resolve this contentious issue”, Haskell said. “Presently the public has 
been left completely in the dark with fear and safety being used to 
shove their agenda for Cathedral Grove down our throat.” “CFS is 
challenging MLA Trumper to a Public Town Meeting in the Cental Island 
and Victoria on this issue so the truth can finally come out.”