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B.C., Lake Cowichan
2021-07-24 20:25 PDT
Police enforcement of the BC Supreme Court injunction order in the Fairy Creek Watershed area continued today, on July 24, 2021 in the Gordon River Mainline area.
A group of individuals, some were elderly, were escorted by the RCMP’s Division Liaison Team into the injunction area to attend a picnic at Avatar Grove, and then out of the area after the event. Most of the members of this group were cooperative and peaceful. However, some were confrontational with police, resulting in the arrest of a total of 16 individuals; 15 of whom for obstruction, and 1 for breaching the injunction (civil contempt of court). 1 additional person who has been identified is actively being pursued for assaulting a police officer.
All arrested individuals were processed and released in Port Renfrew.
Of concern is that, after visiting the injunction area earlier in the day, Chief Superintendent John Brewer, Gold Commander of the RCMP Community-Industry Response Group, noted that 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 the dry and tinder forest.
I am gravely concerned by the new tactic by contemnors to actively breach the court-ordered injunction, says C/Supt. Brewer. On top of their escalating level of violence, they are now committing these egregious safety violations by falling healthy living trees and digging trenches on the roads. It’s only a matter of time before someone, whether a fellow protester, supporter or police officer is seriously injured.
I am gravely concerned by the new tactic by contemnors to actively breach the court-ordered injunction
On top of their escalating level of violence, they are now committing these egregious safety violations by falling healthy living trees and digging trenches on the roads. It’s only a matter of time before someone, whether a fellow protester, supporter or police officer is seriously injured.
These concerns have yet again been raised with one of the protest leaders, as police continue to discourage these behaviors that are putting everyone’s lives, including their own, in danger.
We are also reminding everyone in that area to be mindful of the continued heat wave and the number of wildfires across the province. The remote location will be extremely difficult to reach should fire suppression efforts and evacuation be required.
Since enforcement began, the RCMP have now arrested 494 individuals; at least 28 of whom were previously arrested. Of the total arrested to date, 355 were for breaching the injunction (civil contempt of court), 109 were for obstruction, 5 for a combination of obstruction and breaching their release conditions, 10 were for mischief, 3 were for breaching their release conditions, 4 for assaulting a police officer, 1 for counselling to resist arrest, and 1 wanted Canada-wide on warrants issued by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
All news releases on the Fairy Creek Watershed police enforcement issued to date can be found on the Lake Cowichan RCMP Detachment website.
Released by:
BC RCMP Communication ServicesTel: 778-290-2929Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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