User:Ademoor/The Summer of '93 - The Struggle for Clayoquot Sound

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In 1993, I witnessed the large, grassroots and ultimately even international protests against the decision of the provincial government of British Columbia, Canada, to allow the clearcutting of most of Clayoquot Sound. This was one of the last remaining pristine watersheds on Vancouver Island. The following pictures I took then. They are a tribute to the spirit of a community fighting against societal and environmental injustice.

Aldo de Moor (ademoor AT communitysense DOT nl)

[This gallery can also be viewed in slideshow format at Slide.Com and at Facebook

Forests[edit]

Once upon a time...

  • Clayoquot Sound
    Clayoquot Sound
  • Towering Tree near Whistler
    Towering Tree near Whistler
  • Riverbed in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
    Riverbed in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
  • Nurse Log in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
    Nurse Log in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
  • The Carmanah Giant, the largest tree in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park
    The Carmanah Giant, the largest tree in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park

Logging Practices[edit]

The state of the art of logging in British Columbia in 1993.

  • Clearcut hill in the distance, between Clayoquot Sound and Port Alberni.
    Clearcut hill in the distance, between Clayoquot Sound and Port Alberni.
  • Giant Stump. Near Claoquot Sound.
    Giant Stump. Near Claoquot Sound.
  • A "Working Forest", near Clayoquot Sound.
    A "Working Forest", near Clayoquot Sound.
  • Sustainable logging practices? Near Clayoquot Sound.
    Sustainable logging practices? Near Clayoquot Sound.
  • Scenic view on a clearcut hill. The "Black Hole", near Clayoquot Sound.
    Scenic view on a clearcut hill. The "Black Hole", near Clayoquot Sound.
  • Clearcut formerly known as forest. The "Black Hole", near Clayoquot Sound.
    Clearcut formerly known as forest. The "Black Hole", near Clayoquot Sound.
  • Clearcut hill with Greenpeace Banner. The "Black Hole", near Clayoquot Sound.
    Clearcut hill with Greenpeace Banner. The "Black Hole", near Clayoquot Sound.
  • Hill once covered with trees. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.
    Hill once covered with trees. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.
  • Clearcut hill slope. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.
    Clearcut hill slope. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.
  • Boundary between former and present forest. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.
    Boundary between former and present forest. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.
  • Visitor's Impression of a Tree Farm. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.
    Visitor's Impression of a Tree Farm. Near Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park, Vancouver Island.

Blockade[edit]

All through summer, blockades of the logging road were held in Clayoquot Sound

  • MacMillan Bloedel logging company staff videotaping the protesters. This evidence would later be used in the court cases.
    MacMillan Bloedel logging company staff videotaping the protesters. This evidence would later be used in the court cases.
  • Gathering near the bridge at dawn.
    Gathering near the bridge at dawn.
  • The loggers and the police have arrived. MacMillan Bloedel staff reads the court injunction to leave the road.
    The loggers and the police have arrived. MacMillan Bloedel staff reads the court injunction to leave the road.
  • The circle of people to be arrested that day are summoned by the police to leave the road.
    The circle of people to be arrested that day are summoned by the police to leave the road.
  • The police preparing. MacMillan Bloedel ready to film the arrests.
    The police preparing. MacMillan Bloedel ready to film the arrests.
  • Final warning.
    Final warning.
  • The first arrest.
    The first arrest.
  • The last stand.
    The last stand.
  • The arrested taken to the police station by school bus.
    The arrested taken to the police station by school bus.
  • Loggers getting ready to go to work.
    Loggers getting ready to go to work.
  • Sunrise at the logging road bridge.
    Sunrise at the logging road bridge.
  • The entrance to the "Peace Camp", base of the protesters.
    The entrance to the "Peace Camp", base of the protesters.
  • Banner of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations' People, the original inhabitants of the Clayoquot Sound area.
    Banner of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nations' People, the original inhabitants of the Clayoquot Sound area.
  • Overview of the "Peace Camp", base of the protesters. It was situated in the "Black Hole", a previously clearcut area.
    Overview of the "Peace Camp", base of the protesters. It was situated in the "Black Hole", a previously clearcut area.
  • Plenary meeting in the Peace Camp. Each night, all plans and conflicts were discussed in an effective consensus-seeking process. One of the main issues on the agenda always was who was going to be arrested the next day.
    Plenary meeting in the Peace Camp. Each night, all plans and conflicts were discussed in an effective consensus-seeking process. One of the main issues on the agenda always was who was going to be arrested the next day.
  • Another roadblock. Waiting for the authorities and the logging company to arrive.
    Another roadblock. Waiting for the authorities and the logging company to arrive.
  • Showdown, the police and MacMillan Bloedel have arrived. The persons with the pink ribbons were peacekeepers, who were mostly successful in calming down emotions often running very high.
    Showdown, the police and MacMillan Bloedel have arrived. The persons with the pink ribbons were peacekeepers, who were mostly successful in calming down emotions often running very high.
  • The police arresting a buddhist sitting in lotus position.
    The police arresting a buddhist sitting in lotus position.
  • The police arresting a grandmother while bystanders are applauding.
    The police arresting a grandmother while bystanders are applauding.
  • Loggers getting ready to cross the bridge across the logging road.
    Loggers getting ready to cross the bridge across the logging road.
  • Logging truck passing the protesters after the blockade has been broken.
    Logging truck passing the protesters after the blockade has been broken.

Demonstrations[edit]

Simultaneously, many demonstrations were held near the courthouse and Parliament Buildings in Victoria, the provincial capital. Although close to a thousand people were convicted of criminal contempt of court, the pressure led to the original plans being modified. How sustainable those changes are, is still to be seen.

  • A banner is removed that a protestor had attached to the flagpole next to the Parliament Buildings.
    A banner is removed that a protestor had attached to the flagpole next to the Parliament Buildings.
  • Protesters and accused gathering outside the courthouse at the first day of the mass-trials.
    Protesters and accused gathering outside the courthouse at the first day of the mass-trials.
  • Moral support.
    Moral support.
  • The first day of the mass-trials: international press coverage of this unique moment in community activism history.
    The first day of the mass-trials: international press coverage of this unique moment in community activism history.
  • Marching from the courthouse to Parliament Buildings.
    Marching from the courthouse to Parliament Buildings.
  • Community governance.
    Community governance.
  • If the law is unjust, it needs to be changed: the demonstration has reached Parliament Buildings.
    If the law is unjust, it needs to be changed: the demonstration has reached Parliament Buildings.
  • Calling for transparency.
    Calling for transparency.
  • Protecting Nature is not a crime: on the way back to the courthouse, for justice to be done?
    Protecting Nature is not a crime: on the way back to the courthouse, for justice to be done?
  • First Nations elder making a passionate plea for policy change.
    First Nations elder making a passionate plea for policy change.

References[edit]

Articles

Books

  • Clayoquot and Dissent, Ronsdale Press, Vancouver, 1994. ISBN 0-921870-29-9
  • MacIsaac, R. and Champagne, A. (eds), Clayoquot Mass Trials - Defending the Rainforest, New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, B.C., 1994. ISBN 0-86571-321-9

Organizations

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