To the editor,
Re: Politician and Fairy Creek protester sentenced to jail, but now appealing, May 1.
The judge emphasized the importance of the rule of law, going back several centuries, as the basis for our society; without law there would be anarchy. True enough, but, when we look at this and similar cases, we need to go a bit deeper in our understanding. Who made the laws and in whose interests? Although we have a democratically elected parliament and legislature, every intelligent and informed citizen knows that powerful economic interests have overwhelming influence in the making of legislation, particularly when it comes to the development and exploitation of our natural resources.
Rainbow Eyes broke a law which allowed the elimination of one of the last stands of old-growth timber on Vancouver Island at Fairy Creek. For decades, scientists and environmentalists have been warning us that the rate at which we have been cutting our forests cannot be sustained. Even though our governments have sometimes acknowledged the truth of this, they continue to allow irresponsible logging practices. Now, our society is reaching the end point in terms of maintaining the sustainability, richness and beauty of our forest environment. B.C.’s lumber and pulp mills face a diminishing supply of timber and a number of these mills have been forced to shut down; this trend is predicted to continue over the next few years, decimating the economies of many communities throughout the province.
Concerns about the forestry industry, backed by scientific research, are shared by thousands of British Columbians who recognize that if we don’t take them seriously, and act upon them, ‘beautiful British Columbia’ will become a wasteland. This concern has driven Rainbow Eyes and many others to demonstrate at Fairy Creek and other key spots throughout the province. If we don’t pay attention, the judge will have his rule of law while the rest of us are left with rotting stumps.
Jim Manly, Nanaimo
READ ALSO: Green Party deputy leader and Fairy Creek protester sentenced to jail time
To the editor,
It is with great sadness that I write this letter. I find it hard to fathom that our justice system is treating Angela Davidson, a young Indigenous woman of great integrity, like a hardened criminal by imposing a jail sentence for her role as a passive protester against logging our last minuscule stands of great forests. This young woman is not a rapist, not a thief, not an assaulter, and is not acting in self-interest. Her intentions were honourable.
A jail sentence sends a message to greedy companies whose goal is to strip every living thing from the land for money, that what they do is more important than passive courageous defence of nature. This is a sad day for Canada. It’s certainly not my Canada.
K. Hodgson, Qualicum Beach
READ ALSO: More protesters arrested at Caycuse blockade on Vancouver Island
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press Media or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
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