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B.C., Lake Cowichan
2021-08-25 19:45 PDT
Last night, on August 24, 2021, two individuals were left in their locking devices with the intention that efforts for their extraction would continue today. However, late in the evening, the pair unlocked from their devices voluntarily. They were arrested for breaching the injunction (contempt of court) and released after signing release conditions.
Police enforcement of the BC Supreme Court injunction order in the Fairy Creek Watershed area continued today, on August 25, 2021, with a focus on removing more obstructions and individuals from locking devices or tree structures. Of note, a large piece of log was placed across a bridge, and was used as anchor to support individuals suspended underneath the bridge.
Larger image of individual on tripod
Larger image of log on bridge
We have made significant progress at clearing the forest service roads of a series of structures and obstructions, and we continue to deal with individuals actively blocking roads and preventing police and others from accessing the areas, says Chief Superintendent John Brewer, Gold Commander of the Community-Industry Response Group. I’m concerned with the ongoing verbal insults being thrown at our officers, particularly during tense situations when a number of people are gathered or multiple individuals are arrested. Yesterday, on August 24, derogatory remarks were made by protesters towards several officers of South Asian descent. We remained peaceful and professional but criminal acts and violence will be met with enforcement, he adds.
We have made significant progress at clearing the forest service roads of a series of structures and obstructions, and we continue to deal with individuals actively blocking roads and preventing police and others from accessing the areas,
I’m concerned with the ongoing verbal insults being thrown at our officers, particularly during tense situations when a number of people are gathered or multiple individuals are arrested. Yesterday, on August 24, derogatory remarks were made by protesters towards several officers of South Asian descent. We remained peaceful and professional but criminal acts and violence will be met with enforcement,
A total of 12 individuals were arrested today; 10 of whom were for beaching the injunction (contempt of court) and 2 for obstruction. They were processed and released in Port Renfrew.
Since enforcement began, the RCMP have arrested 810 individuals; 56 of whom were previously arrested with a combined total of 133 times. Of the total arrested, 632 were for breaching the injunction (contempt of court), 149 were for obstruction, 13 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 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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