(Update: June 13, 2022 @10 am): The protest group said that an angry motorist snapped a support beam and the ladder collapsed.
A protester was hospitalized this morning after Save Old Growth activists blocked the Pat Bay Highway going to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
The 12 to 15 protesters set up a blockade northbound at around 6 am.
Some protestors physically attached themselves to a structure, including one protestor perched on a ladder.
Motorists reportedly confronted the protesters, and the group claims that one man broke a part of the structure that was supporting the ladder, causing the man on top to fall and be injured.
“The protest created frustration amongst commuters who attempted to bypass this illegal blockade,” stated Cpl. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the BC RCMP.
“Those blockades are simply dangerous for protestors and for others. One protester fell down on the pavement after the ladder collapsed and had to be transported to hospital as a result. While we understand the commuters frustration, the RCMP does not condone illegal actions taken to bypass blockades.”
Police dismantled the structure with specialized untis and arrested some of those responsible for the blockade.
Police are asking with anyone with information to contact the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP at 250-656-3931.
(Original story: June 13, 2022 @ 7:40 am):
Northbound traffic is being disrupted this morning on the Pat Bay Highway, near the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
The activist group Save Old Growth said last week that they would return to blocking critical highways and infrastructure starting today.
"The earth is in a death spiral. It will take radical action to save us."
— Save Old Growth (@saveoldgrowth) June 13, 2022
- George Monbiot
Photos from Victoria blockade pic.twitter.com/Q2VGt6wF4a
“Protecting our last remaining old growth forests is a complete no-brainer. We’ve been systemically lied to by the BC government,” says Zain Haq, coordinator for Save Old Growth.
“Through our civil resistance efforts, we’ll create political urgency for the government to represent the will of the people rather than serve the forestry lobby.”
Protesters are also blocking traffic at the Massey Tunnel in Vancouver this morning.
BREAKING - The Massey Tunnel, Vancouver has been blocked pic.twitter.com/IqlVMMLIYD
— Save Old Growth (@saveoldgrowth) June 13, 2022
