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A protester on Vancouver Island was taken to hospital after a ladder sank, the RCMP said.
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June 13, 2022 • 53 minutes ago • 3 minutes reading • 36 comments Save Old Growth protesters block the northbound lane of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge on June 13, 2022. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO / PNG
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A group of environmental protesters blocked three main lanes on Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island on Monday, causing disruptions and delays in rush hour traffic.
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Coordinated demonstrations began shortly before 6 a.m. when a dozen activists set up a blockade on the Pat Bay Highway, stopping northbound traffic, including ferry traffic to the Swartz Bay Terminal. .
At around 7 a.m., protesters blocked the north entrance of the Massey Tunnel heading south, blocking traffic on Highway 99 between Richmond and Delta, including vehicles heading to the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
Protesters also pointed westbound at the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge between Vancouver and the North Shore.
A total of nine people were arrested.
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Protests were quickly wiped out by police, although delays persisted due to congestion.
In Vancouver, police arrested five protesters, including four who tried to lock themselves behind the wheel inside a car on the deck of the bridge.
As a precautionary measure, police also seized three unoccupied vehicles strategically placed by protesters near the bridge which they believe should be used to block traffic on the bridge.
“Illegal protests obstructing vital parts of the infrastructure put people’s safety at risk,” the Vancouver police spokesman said. Steve Addison.
In Richmond, Mounties broke a blockade of three people sitting on the freeway and a fourth person stood on a platform ladder that was found to be in breach of the terms of a previous protest in another jurisdiction.
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In a statement, the RCMP said it planned to file criminal charges against all those arrested.
On Vancouver Island, a protester was injured after the ladder where he was sunk, the RCMP said. He was taken to hospital.
Protest organizer Sophia Papp said a protester fell because a “frustrated” driver broke a support beam on a platform holding the protester.
“I understand the frustration of people caught in traffic, but compared to the destruction of climate change, it’s insignificant,” Papp said.
Bérubé said some frustrated travelers tried to avoid the blockade. “While we understand the frustration of travelers, the RCMP does not approve of the illegal actions taken to prevent blockages,” he said.
Tamara Meggitt, organizer of a group called Clear the Road, which is in the process of gathering information from a planned class action lawsuit against protesters, said she would not be surprised to hear more incidents between fed-up drivers and protesters.
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“It’s very frustrating for people,” he said. “For some, it could be the joy that broke the camel’s back.”
But he said drivers should not take matters into their own hands. “That’s their game. They want to upset people. So hold back and just record, document and get in touch with us. Let us know how it’s affecting you so we can move forward.”
Meggitt said “dozens and dozens” of people who have suffered financial losses or missed medical appointments have been contacted for delays due to protests.
Save Old Growth warned in a press release that it plans to mount more blockades until its demand is met.
The group, which wants to put an end to all the old logging in BC immediately, has stepped up its tactics in recent months, with activists blocking busy transportation routes in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
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Last week, Save Old Growth protesters rushed to the football field during a CONCACAF Nations League match between Canada and Curaçao and tried to stick to the goal posts. Two people were arrested, Vancouver police said.
Save Old Growth spokesman Zain Haq said the group’s nonviolent protests are aimed at provoking public debate and changing government policies to address climate science and that its members are ready to go to jail.
The government said it is following the recommendations of an independent review of BC’s ancient forest management.
chchan@postmedia.com
twitter.com/cherylchan
– Filed by Victoria Times Colonist
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