 |
| About a dozen Ada'itsx/Fairy Creek blockaders arrived in August and have stayed throughout the winter. Photo: Will O’Connell / The Narwhal |
,
In August 2020, when protests against old growth logging began to escalate, environmentalists, conservationists, and land defenders stepped forward in order to protect Pacheedaht Nation territory and the old growth forests residing there. Though the Pacheedaht Chief, Jeff Jones, and hereditary Chief, Frank Queesto Jones, have asked protesters to leave due to the “increasing polarization over forestry activities in their territory” [1], many Indigenous peoples continue to participate in the blockade, including William “Bill” Jones, a Pacheedaht elder. Jones argues that these efforts, specifically an open letter written by the two chiefs, are meant to “control Indigenous voices and leadership who don’t agree with exploitation of the land” [2]. Since the start of the protests, the Ada'itsx/Fairy Creek blockade has received vocal support from many individuals and groups, including members of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and hereditary Chief Victor Peter [3].
 |
| Letter written by Chief Jeff Jones, reproduction courtesy of National Observer |
Events at Ada'itsx/Fairy Creek took on a dire feel when the courts ruled that the blockade was illegal and the RCMP had the freedom to perform arrests and remove protestors. Since then, the RCMP have been accused of excessive violence and force, including using pepper spray against protestors, and an increased number of arrests [4]. Over 1,100 people have been arrested, with some having been arrested multiple times. However, the RCMP have not only been arresting protestors; journalists have also been arrested at the site, in direct opposition to the ruling of Justice Douglas Thompson, who ruled that the exclusion zones in use by the RCMP were illegal [5]. Though Justice Thompson denied the extension of the injunction, the lawyers for Teal Jones are already arguing that a temporary injunction must be in place while the company appeals this decision [6]. The B.C. Court of Appeal granted a temporary injunction on October 8 [7].
 |
| Source: RCMP. Graph: Arik Ligeti, Carol Linnitt / The Narwhal |
 |
| August saw by far the highest number of arrests at Ada'itsx/Fairy Creek. Source: RCMP. Graph: Arik Ligeti, Carol Linnitt / The Narwhal |
[1] R. Baker. (2021, April 13). “Pacheedaht Nation wants Fairy Creek blockade to leave.”
National Observer [Online]. Available:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/04/13/news/pacheedaht-nation-wants-fairy-creek-
old-growth-blockade-leave
[2] R. Baker. (2021, April 13). “Pacheedaht Nation wants Fairy Creek blockade to leave.”
National Observer [Online]. Available:
https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/04/13/news/pacheedaht-nation-wants-fairy-creek-
old-growth-blockade-leave
[3] E. Gilpin. (2021, June 3). “Indigenous Solidarity at Fairy Creek.” IndigiNews [Online].
Available: https://indiginews.com/vancouver-island/members-of-tsleil-waututh-nation-show-
support-at-fairy-creek
[4] S. Cox. (2021, August, 25). “Fairy Creek is set to become the largest act of civil
disobedience in Canada’s history.” The Narwhal [Online]. Available:
https://thenarwhal.ca/fairy-creek-blockades-august-arrests/
[5] Z. Yunker. (2021, August 16). “A Judge Rebuked Illegal RCMP Tactics at Fairy Creek.
They Continue.” The Tyee [Online]. Available: https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/08/16/Judge-
Rebuked-Illegal-RCMP-Tactics/
[6] CBC News. (2021, October 8). “Judge grants temporary injunction at Fairy Creek, citing
economic harm to logging company.” CBC News [Online]. Available:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fairy-creek-injunction-appeal-1.6204905
[7] CBC News. (2021, October 8). “Judge grants temporary injunction at Fairy Creek, citing
economic harm to logging company.” CBC News [Online]. Available:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fairy-creek-injunction-appeal-1.6204905
Comments
Post a Comment