Media Availability: Tzeporah Berman at Fairy Creek HQ
May 21, 2021
As RCMP began arresting forest defenders this week at Caycuse on Ditidaht Territory, a former leader of the Clayoquot Sound protests in the 1990s is returning to the frontlines to support Indigenous land defenders and their allies who are standing for old growth forests.
Unceded Ditidaht and Pacheedaht Territories (southern Vancouver Island, BC) — As RCMP began arresting forest defenders this week at Caycuse on Ditidaht Territory, a former leader of the Clayoquot Sound protests in the 1990s is returning to the frontlines to support Indigenous land defenders and their allies who are standing for old growth forests.
“There are moments in history when our government fails us. When we are called to stand up. This is one of those moments,” said Tzeporah Berman, International Program Director at Stand.earth. “Our government has so far broken its promise to stop logging in these last remaining old growth forests. Sadly, after 27 years, I am heading back to the blockades.”
Tzeporah Berman will be at Fairy Creek HQ for media availability this morning, Friday May 21, at 10am PT.
Premier Horgan and his NDP government made a commitment to implement all 14 recommendations from an independent, expert panel on old growth; including to immediately defer logging in at-risk old growth forests. This week, a team of independent scientists released new mapping and analysis identifying the areas that meet the panel’s criteria for deferral, including parts of Ditidaht and Pacheedaht Territories like Caycuse and Fairy Creek.
Despite the province’s pledge to defer logging on old growth and chart a paradigm shift for forestry in BC, over the last year the provincial NDP government oversaw a 43% increase in old growth logging approvals.
“The Horgan government has created an untenable situation, and their lack of leadership is only leading to heightened tensions in the woods,” said Berman. “This is a last stand for old growth forests, and every day matters. If this government is serious about keeping their promise, they need to act now to put deferrals in place. Logging deferrals will maintain options while the province engages with First Nations to ensure new forest management practices are rooted in principles of Indigenous rights and consent, as well as ecological values.”
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Media contacts:
Ziona Eyob, Canadian Communications Manager, canmedia@stand.earth, +1 604 757 7279 (Pacific Time)