All eyes on Fairy Creek
Some of these trees are 800 years old!Spotlighting and Supporting Environmental Protestors and Forest Protectors!
The Fairy Creek Blockade, operating since May 17, has been demonstrating and protesting against the logging of old growth forests situated on unceded Pacheedaht and Ditidaht territory in BC.
The Blockade’s efforts have pushed BC legislation to temporarily suspend logging in the Fairy Creek Watershed for two years, encouraging the requests of Indigenous communities in the area to be respected.
While this is promising news, it is only temporary. The Fairy Creek Blockade’s work is FAR from over!
WHAT CAN YOU DO in 4 MINuTES?
Show up for Fairy Creek, now more than ever!
1. Live in BC? Join the protests at Fairy Creek’s HQ, hand out food or water to the demonstrators, or offer up a ride to participants!
2. Don’t live in BC? Donate to the Blockade’s gofundme or share its link!
3. Have social media? Follow Fairy Creek and circulate its posts, videos, and statements from protestors at the Blockade. Let their voices and efforts be heard and seen!
4. Don’t have social media? Visit the Blockade’s website to learn more about their efforts, stay updated on their news, and find more ways to help!
REFERENCES
Resources
Justine Hunter for Globe and Mail – B.C. suspends old-growth logging in Fairy Creek at request of Indigenous communities and Fairy Creek blockade: What You Need to Know About the Anti-Logging Protest in B.C.
Kevin Rothbauer for Saanich News – Arrests Continue to Mount at Fairy Creek as Protesters Complain about RCMP Tactics
The Fairy Creek Blockade’s Instagram
WHAT?
Fairy Creek is “the last unprotected, intact old-growth valley on southern Vancouver Island” . Old growth forests play a crucial role in our ecosystems, providing essential ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, habitat for wildlife, and cultural value for Indigenous peoples and nature-lovers.
Some of these trees are 800 years old!
Logging these old-growth forests poses severe damage on the people, history, biodiversity, and ecosystems surrounding them!
WHO?
Indigenous peoples, wildlife and biodiversity, protestors, and you!
Losing our old growth forests means losing fundamental components of the ecosystems we all live in.
GOAL
Protect and propel a vision where long-term actions preserving the environment are prioritized over short-term economic gain.
Recognize the old-growth forests as fundamental to our existence and non-negotiable!
Protect Indigenous rights to the land. We fight for Indigenous consent to be necessary and valued in decision-making processes.
SOLUTION
Amplify the voices of the Fairy Creek Blockade, Rainforest Flying Squad, forest protectors, and Indigenous peoples living near its area. Circulate their stories and personal accounts of the protests.
Educate your friends and others on the importance of old growth forests to life.
Join the protests, donate, or share this info!
“These deferrals still allow most of the old-growth logging already permitted in Fairy Creek, and old growth is still falling across the province. The protests will continue in Fairy Creek and I expect we will see more Fairy Creeks across the province.” Tzeporah Berman
SUMMARY
Kevin Rothbauer for Saanich News
“The Rainforest Flying Squad, which is coordinating the protests, expressed concerns about some the arrests on Monday and Tuesday on the Fairy Creek Blockade Facebook page”
“The RCMP arrested 12 people on Monday, eight on Tuesday, and four on Wednesday, bringing the total number of arrests to 198 since enforcement began on May 17”
“The RFS reported that the RCMP used an excavator to extract the protesters in the sleeping dragons. ‘There are other safer methods they could employ, but they choose the intimidation of large machinery,’ the Facebook report said”
Justine Hunter for The Globe and Mail
“On June 1, the B.C. government announced a new forestry plan, proposing to double the amount of timber harvesting rights now held by Indigenous communities in the province. The policy change is designed to advance reconciliation by ensuring that First Nations see more benefits from the resources taken out of their traditional territories.”
“The B.C. government has suspended old-growth logging in the Fairy Creek watershed and in the nearby Central Walbran at the request of local Indigenous communities”
“But between the two deferral zones on southern Vancouver Island, old-growth logging will continue – as will protests.”
“Unless they include the entire 2080 Ha rainforest [in the deferral] then nothing will change in the fight to protect the area.”
“This is the last stand for our forests. It’s also important to recognize that a deferral is just a deferral, it’s not protection.”