Violent Logger Swings Chainsaw at Elk Creek Protesters

PRESS RELEASE - October 28th, 2003

Yesterday in Elk Creek, near Chilliwack, BC, Canada, the dramatic struggle to protect some of the last intact temperate rainforest in the Lower Mainland - a sacred site for local First Nations - reached a new climax. As a group of protesters encountered a Cattermole faller in the forest they came within inches of their lives as the faller chased them, wildly swinging a running chainsaw. This was the latest in a documented string of incidents, ranging back to September 29th, in which Cattermole Timber Co. employees have uttered death threats, aimed falling trees, beaten, and waved running chainsaws at peaceful protesters in Elk Creek.

Protesters on the ground in Elk Creek are part of a broad coalition that is trying to protect this remnant ecosystem, home to endangered species like the Spotted Owl, and the Marbled Murrelet, from industrial logging. The coalition includes over 800 people who are a part of the Elk Creek Conservation Coalition in Chilliwack, elders and members of the Cheam Band, the West Coast Wilderness Committee, and many other alarmed people. Over the last three years concerned people wrote hundreds of letters, unanimously opposed to the logging plan, as public comment - only to fall on deaf ears.

Earlier this month members of the Cheam Indian Band, and supporters from Chilliwack, blockaded the main CN rail lines for 30 hours in an effort to halt logging in the watershed which they have used sustainably for thousands of years for medicine plants, vision quests, berry picking, hunting, and making shale knives. The Cheam assert that they still have title to this part of their unceded Pilalt territory and that their consent is needed before any logging takes place. June Quipp, an active Cheam elder explained that "now our Sacred Mountains are under attack and if there is no stop to this destruction our place of spiritual practice (like your church) will be totally destroyed."

Yesterday's incident comes as no surprise to protesters who have seen a constant escalation of Cattermole's intimidation tactics in the absence of action by the Worker Compensation Board (responsible for workplace safety), the police, Cattermole executives and the BC government - despite numerous official complaints. Forest researcher Rick McCallion, who narrowly escaped injury in the incident, said "I personally informed Cattermole Timber, the Worker Compensation Board, and the RCMP that Cattermole employees were out of control in Elk Creek, after similar previous incidents. They chose to do nothing, and in so doing they knowingly placed everyone on the ground at Elk Creek in grave danger."

"It is high time for Forest Minister Mike De Jong to call an end to logging in Elk Creek before tragedy strikes. His government's choice to ignore the best interests and the safety of the local people, and his ongoing lack of action to resolve the issue makes him ultimately responsible for the highly dangerous and unfortunate situation in Elk Creek today."

In a letter dated May 8th, Sidney Douglas, Head Councilor for Cheam, warned Kerry Grozier, District Forest Manager, saying "it appears that the MOF and Cattermole are following a course of non-recognition of Pilalt Title that lays the groundwork for potential conflict and confrontation." In a later letter, dated October 1, Sidney Douglas said that "this was a bad decision when considered from any perspective other than one that envisions a total repudiation of aboriginal rights, completely ignores environmental and conservation issues and considers only factors that result in a total capitulation to the economic interests of the logging industry."

Joe Foy, a spokesperson for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, when told of the attack on the protesters had this to say. "It's time to halt the logging at Elk Creek. Hundreds of people wrote in to the Chilliwack Forest Service that they did not want the logging - and when it was approved by the Forest Service anyway, it should come as no surprise that people are protesting the logging. MLA Les, must immediately condemn this violent attack on the peaceful protesters at Elk Creek - before one of them gets killed. His "martyrdom" comment can be seen as contributing to a cult of violence amongst the Cattermole logging crew."

This morning, for the first time in weeks, no helicopters were heard bringing Cattermole employees into Elk Creek. Protesters say that they will not let Cattermole's physical intimidation tactics keep them out of the public forest and promise to continue their presence and their dissent in the woods.

For Interviews Contact:
June Quipp (Cheam elder) and incident victims: 604-794-5715
Diane Moen, Elk Creek Conservation Coalition : 604-794-3812
Joe Foy Wilderness Committee: 604-880-2580