Property Rights Put Before Right to Protest in Clayoquot Sound
8/22/96
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/** gp.press: 139.0 **/
** Topic: 8/22 GP Clayoquot Campaign to Conti **
** Written 8:37 PM Aug 22, 1996 by nobody@xs2.greenpeace.org in cdp:gp.press *
*
Subject: 8/22 GP Clayoquot Campaign to Continue Despite Court Ruling
Date: Thu, 22 AUG 96 17:43:09 GMT
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Original-TO: World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-TO: The.Greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org
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GREENPEACE'S CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT CLAYOQUOT SOUND WILL
CONTINUE---DESPITE SUPREME COURT RULING
Press Release-OTTAWA, CANADA 22 August, 1996 (GP) Greenpeace will continue its
campaign to protect Clayoquot Sound's pristine valleys, despite a decision
issued by the Supreme Court of Canada today which puts the "property rights" of
logging companies ahead of individual rights to protest destructive
environmental practices.
The decision pertains to an injunction obtained by MacMillan Bloedel four years
ago that resulted in jail terms and fines for over 1,000 people who tried to
stop MacMillan Bloedel from clearcutting the rainforests of Clayoquot Sound by
blocking logging roads.*
"This decision tells Canadians that the interests of large logging companies
come first,that the forest belongs to them, not the citizens of British Columbia
or the citizens of Canada. This decision stands is sharp contrast to the belief
held by most Canadians that the forests do belong to them and that all citizens
have the right and responsibility to protest destructive forest practices,"
said Greenpeace Canada campaign director Steve Shallhorn who was at the court
when the decision was handed down.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling Greenpeace intends to continue its campaign to
protect Clayoquot Sound and the rest of British Columbia's temperate rainforest,
the largest example of a fragile ecosystem that has been wiped out in many
other parts of the world.
"Greenpeace's commitment to protect the Clayoquot's rainforest remains as strong
as ever, " said Forest Campaigner Karen Mahon, Greenpeace Canada forests
campaigner. "We will fight in the forests, we will fight in the marketplace, we
will fight in the boardroom but we will not stand by and let MacMillan Bloedel
destroy the last of the temperate rainforests."
It has been three years since the summer of 1993, when over 10,000 people came
to Clayoquot Sound to protest the destructive logging of the old-growth
temperate rainforests. Since then initiatives have been adopted, such as
recommendations made by a blue-ribbon Scientific Panel. Although the rate of cut
has slowed down, clearcutting continues and MacMillan Bloedel's most recent
plans indicate that they plan on logging the few remaining intact valleys and
islands within the next 5 years.
Earlier this summer, protests resumed in Clayoquot Sound, when MacMillan Bloedel
began clearcutting in the pristine valley of the Bulson. The Bulson is one of 11
pristine areas that remain on Vancouver Island, of an original 170.: six of
these are in Clayoquot Sound and continue to be threatened by MacMillan
Bloedel, despite overwhelming international support for their protection.
"Worldwide, people are becoming increasingly aware Canada's temperate rainforest
are endangered. If the current rate of logging continues virtually all the
remaining valleys will be roaded or logged within the next 10 years," said
Tamara Stark of Greenpeace Canada. "Greenpeace will continue to campaign
nationally and internationally to ensure that Clayoquot Sound and the remaining
intact valleys along the coast of British Columbia are protected."
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Steve Shallhorn by cell phone in Ottawa, 416-451-9354
Tamara Stark or Karen Mahon in Vancouver 604-253-7701
*NOTES TO EDITORS: The injunction named specific individuals, but also applied
generically to "John and Jane Doe and Persons Unknown". This form of broad
injunction has been ruled illegal in three other Canadian provinces, and in the
highest courts in the United States, England and Australia. In these
jurisdictions, this injunction has been determined to be overly broad, violating
the public's right to civil protest.