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B.C., Lake Cowichan
2021-09-03 20:45 PDT
Police enforcement of the BC Supreme Court injunction order in the Fairy Creek Watershed area continued today, on September 3, 2021, with ongoing efforts to remove obstructions and individuals from locking devices inside unsafe trenches and in a tripod along Granite Mainline Forest Service Road.
During the course of the day, 5 individuals were arrested for breaching the injunction (contempt of court). All were processed and released in Port Renfrew.
Police also located a significant number of abandoned items hidden in the area that included hand tools, power tools, rebar and cement. As these materials are used for breaching the injunction, all items were removed.
I continue to be concerned about the ongoing efforts, specifically the trenches, that are being dug in the roads to actively prevent access and movement throughout the injunction area, says Chief Supt. John Brewer, Gold Commander of the Community Industry Response Group. Our obstruction removal specialists are taking the time necessary to assess each trench and develop the best way to safely remove the contemnors, mindful that they are also in locking devices they could remove themselves from voluntarily. These devices have gone far beyond any display of peaceful, lawful protest and are placing themselves and police officers at significant risk for injury or even worse. Additional resources will focus on preventing the trenches from being developed in the evenings.
I continue to be concerned about the ongoing efforts, specifically the trenches, that are being dug in the roads to actively prevent access and movement throughout the injunction area,
Our obstruction removal specialists are taking the time necessary to assess each trench and develop the best way to safely remove the contemnors, mindful that they are also in locking devices they could remove themselves from voluntarily. These devices have gone far beyond any display of peaceful, lawful protest and are placing themselves and police officers at significant risk for injury or even worse. Additional resources will focus on preventing the trenches from being developed in the evenings.
Larger image of individual locked in a tree stump
Larger image of locking device in tripod
Larger image of a person with arm in a locking device inside a trench
Since enforcement began, the RCMP have arrested 848 individuals; 72 of whom were previously arrested with a combined total of 174 times. Of the total arrested, 657 were for breaching the injunction (contempt of court), 159 were for obstruction, 16 were for mischief, 6 were for breaching their release conditions, 5 were for assaulting a police officer, 2 were for failing to comply with a court order, 1 for counselling to resist arrest, 1 for causing a disturbance, and 1 Immigration Act.
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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