Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:31:54 -0700
From: Scott Frederick <scott451@gmx.net>
Subject: [KCUTS] Activists, forestry workers find common cause for rally
Hello Kootenaycuts,
Carole James (BC NDP Leader) and Jane Sterk (BC Green Party Leader) to
speak at Saturday's Rally.
Two out of three leaders of BC's largest political parties will now be
speaking at Saturday's ancient forest rally in Victoria [see below for
details]! Premier Gordon Campbell has also been invited to speak as
well.
Activists, forestry workers find common cause for rally
http://www.canada.com/ch/cheknews/news/story.html?id=ec1df840-c094-4723-b2b5-2678b8397403&k=25471
Judith Lavoie Times Colonist
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Massive save-the-forests rallies have not been seen on the legislature
lawn for 15 years, but Ken Wu is hoping Saturday will be like old
times.
The Western Canada Wilderness Committee campaign director says unlike
old times, Facebook is being used as an organizing tool and almost 800
people have confirmed through the website they will be on the
legislature lawn at noon.
"Everyone doesn't usually RSVP for rallies," Wu said. "Facebook is
like e-mail on steroids. It's proving to be a very powerful organizing
tool for environmental advocates."
There's another twist, too: For the first time, a contingent of
forestry workers from Crofton is expected to join in.
Arnold Bercov, forestry officer with the Pulp, Paper and Woodworkers
of Canada, said environmental sustainability in the woods is what will
keep the industry alive.
"I'll be encouraging our guys to join the protest to demand a ban on
raw log exports and a rapid transition into harvesting of
second-growth forests," he said.
Jobs and Vancouver Island's remaining old-growth forests can be
protected if government bans raw log exports and helps retool sawmills
to handle smaller second-growth logs, Wu said.
Speakers at the rally will include NDP Leader Carole James, B.C. Green
party Leader Jane Sterk and Valerie Langer, a campaigner for
environmental group ForestEthics.
Wu believes the protest's focus on an end to old-growth logging, a ban
on raw log exports and sustainable logging of second-growth forest
will attract more than 1,000 demonstrators.
"This will be the biggest environmental rally since 1993 during the
Clayoquot Sound protests," he said.
jlavoie@tc.canwest.com
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
--
Only 414 organising days until the next BC provincial election.
Best regards,
Scott mailto:scott451@gmx.net
--