Members of Save Old Growth, a group behind other protests that have disrupted traffic in recent months, said they would block the north entrance to the George Massey Tunnel on Monday, cutting off traffic to the south. The BC Department of Transportation confirmed that the tunnel was shut down at around 7:15 a.m., saying drivers would have to “expect long delays and congestion”. The Richmond RCMP said three people were sitting on Highway 99 and one person was “climbing a platform ladder” when police arrived. All four were arrested and one person was found to have violated the terms of a previous protest, Mounties said. “We respect the rights of individuals to legal, peaceful and secure demonstrations, but when blocking a major motorway is neither legal nor safe, the police must alleviate the situation. The police have a mandate to ensure public safety and security for all.” including the protesters “End. said Mark Baxter in a press release. Team members also blocked traffic on the Second Narrow Bridge on Monday morning. At around 7:30 a.m., police were in the area removing protesters from the crossing, and five people were eventually arrested. Police said four vehicles were also seized. “Illegal protests blocking vital infrastructure are endangering the safety of people,” Sgt said. said Steve Addison in a press release. “While we support the right of all to assemble legally and to express their views peacefully, the Vancouver Police Department will continue to work proactively to prevent illegal demonstrations and to allow people to move safely through the area.” By 9 a.m., protesters had cleared both the Massey tunnel and the second alley. Save Old Growth said it took a six-week break to recruit and train more protesters, adding that it was repeating a series of blockades on highways and bridges on Vancouver Underground and Vancouver Island. The group is calling for an end to the deforestation of old forests in British Columbia through legislative changes. “They may not like our tactics, but they want to save the old growth,” said protester Sam Nguyen. “We tried reports, we tried to talk to the MLA, 30 years have passed, nothing has happened … we do not want to be on the streets. We do not want to stop these people from going to work.” A group of protesters, called Clear the Road, accused Save Old Growth of holding the hostages hostage and planning to launch a class action lawsuit against them. “I’m very concerned that their actions are just going to escalate and escalate to a point that is even more dangerous for commuters and the RCMP,” said Clear the Road organizer Tamara Meggit. “Whoever has been affected by these (protests), whoever has lost shifts at work or something similar, tell us your story. We are looking to document and a class action lawsuit will be discussed with law firms.” This is a story that unfolds. Check again for updates. With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Shannon Paterson and Regan Hasegawa
