Judge extends injunction against protest logging at Fairy Creek site
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A judge has extended a one-year temporary injunction against protests against the logging of old-growth forest in the Fairy Creek area of southern Vancouver Island.
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Logging protests by Teal Cedar Products Ltd. began at various locations in 2020, resulting in the company seeking a court injunction against further operational blockades in early 2021.
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In April 2021, BC Supreme Court Frits Verhoeven originally granted a temporary injunction containing a police enforcement order, which was scheduled to expire in September 2021.
Since then, more than 1,200 people have been arrested by the police, and the King has pursued more than 400 indictments against those accused of contempt of court.
The company sought an extension of the injunction in September 2021, but was denied by Judge Douglas Thompson, who was charged with managing the case. However, Thompson’s judgment was overturned by the BC Court of Appeals and his injunction was extended until September 2022.
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Protests have dropped significantly this year, but they haven’t completely stopped. In April, a blockade was put in place by more than 10 people, but was dismantled by the RCMP. In May several more blockades were established and in June he had one.
The company sought further extension of the injunction, which protesters opposed, arguing that the company had failed to meet the required legal test and had not carefully pursued the underlying litigation in this case.
Protesters also argued that there was no need for an extension because roadblocks and other prohibited interference had stopped.
Mr Thompson said in a recent ruling that the first two claims had little merit and focused on the question of whether there would be further protests.
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“The motives and commitment of those involved in this campaign of civil disobedience must be assessed to understand the extent to which sabotage activities are likely to continue,” the judge said.
“The climate crisis is accelerating.
The judge noted that he had already dealt with the sentencing of more than 100 protesters, saying that the Fairy Creek protesters were deeply committed to their cause, highly intelligent, non-violent and He found that they were likely to continue their sabotage activities.
“My conclusions are based on what happened after August 2020 and are reinforced by the circumstances surrounding this further extension request.”
The judge has extended the injunction until September 26, 2023.
kfraser@postmedia.com
Judge extends injunction against protest logging at Fairy Creek site
Source link Judge extends injunction against protest logging at Fairy Creek site