[van-announce] Passing of environmental and peace activist, Alice Coppard.

[Ivan Bulic]

Immediate Release: Oct. 11, 2004

Passing of pioneer environmental and peace activist, Alice Coppard.

Long-time environmental and peace activist Alice Coppard passed away 
peacefully in Vancouver on October 07. She was 98 years old.

Born in England in 1906, Alice was active in peace issues before emigrating 
to Vancouver in 1959. In the early 1960s she worked with the Voice of Women 
and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom in organizing 
Canada's first  "Ban the Bomb" marches. Alice was keenly aware of the link 
between peace and environmental protection and became an early member of 
SPEC (The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation).

Concerned about offshore BC oil exploration and tanker traffic, Alice and 
SPEC founder Gwen Mallard hitch-hiked across Canada in 1971 carrying a 
60,000-name petition calling for a moratorium on oil exploration. Although 
she was 64-years old, Alice braved the six-week trip that took 81 rides and 
during which she spoke with hundreds of people across the country.

In Ottawa, Alice and Gwen delivered the petition to Energy Minister Jack 
Davis before going to Washington DC and a meeting with Interior Secretary 
Jack Horton. Ottawa subsequently established a moratorium which is still in 
effect.

In the 1980s Alice helped organize a coalition that included SPEC, 
Greenpeace and the Sierra Club to stop uranium mining and plans for nuclear 
power plants in BC. Her efforts were vindicated by the 1980 Bates 
Commission that recommended against nuclear power in BC.

"Alice will be greatly missed by all Canadians who care about our 
environment," said SPEC president Gerry Thorne. "She was an example of what 
one determined person can accomplish."

Until her death, Alice remained active with SPEC as Honorary President, and 
with the Raging Grannies. In 1993 she received the City of Vancouver Peace 
Award.

Alice is survived by four children, seven grandchildren and three 
great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Oct 12 at 
Fairhaven Home, 2720 E 48 Ave, Vancouver.

-30-
Info: SPEC   604-736-7732 
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