Date of publication: June 13, 2022 • 53 minutes ago • 3 minutes reading • 36 comments Save Old Growth protesters block the north lane of Ironworkers Memorial Bridge on June 13, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / PNG
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A group of environmental protesters blocked three major highways in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island on Monday, causing disruptions and delays in rush hour traffic.
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Coordinated demonstrations began shortly before 6 a.m. when about a dozen activists blocked the Pat Bay Highway, disrupting traffic to the north, including ferries to the Swartz Bay terminal. At around 7 a.m., protesters blocked the north entrance to the Massey Tunnel, heading south, blocking traffic on Highway 99 between Richmond and Delta, including vehicles heading to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. Protesters also targeted lanes westward on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge between Vancouver and the North Coast. A total of nine people were arrested.
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The demonstrations were quickly cleared by police, although delays remained due to congestion. In Vancouver, police arrested five protesters, including four who tried to lock themselves behind the wheel of a car on the bridge deck. In a precautionary move, police also seized three non -occupied vehicles strategically installed by protesters near the bridge, who believed they were intended to be used to prevent traffic on the bridge. “Illegal protests blocking vital infrastructure are endangering the safety of people,” said Vancouver police spokesman Sgt. Steve Addison. In Richmond, Mountis dismantled a blockade of three people sitting on the freeway and a fourth person climbed a platform ladder, which was found to be violating the terms of a previous protest in another jurisdiction.
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In a statement, the RCMP said it planned to prosecute all those arrested. On Vancouver Island, a protester was injured when a staircase collapsed, the RCMP said. He was taken to hospital. Protest organizer Sophia Papp said a protester fell because a “frustrated” driver broke a support beam on a platform holding the protester. “I understand the frustration of people who are stuck in traffic, but compared to the devastation of climate change, it is insignificant,” Papp said. Beroube said some frustrated movers tried to circumvent the blockade. “While we understand the frustration of the passengers, the RCMP does not forgive the illegal actions taken to circumvent the blockades,” he said. Tamara Meggitt, the organizer of a group called Clear the Road, which is in the process of gathering information on a planned mass lawsuit against protesters, said she would not be surprised to hear more episodes erupt between tired drivers and protesters.
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“It’s so frustrating for people,” he said. “For some, it may be the straw that broke the camel’s back.” But he said drivers should not take matters into their own hands. “It’s their game. They want to anger people. So hold yourself back and just record, document and contact us. Tell us how it affects you, so that we can move forward. “ Megit said she was contacted by “dozens and dozens” of people who suffered financial losses or missed medical appointments due to delays due to the protests. Save Old Growth warned in a press release that it planned to impose further exclusions until their request was granted. The group, which wants an immediate end to all old logging in BC, has escalated its tactics in recent months, with activists blocking busy transportation routes to Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
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Last week, protesters from Save Old Growth ran to the football field during a CONCACAF Nations League match between Canada and Curacao and tried to stick to the goalposts. Two people have been arrested, Vancouver police said. Save Old Growth spokesman Zain Haq said the group’s nonviolent protests were aimed at sparking public debate and changing government policies to focus on climate science and that its members were ready to go to jail. The government has said it is following the recommendations for an independent review of BC’s old forest management. [email protected] twitter.com/cherylchan – With files from the Victoria Times Colonist
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