Tel: [0064-4] 850-231
Fax: [0064-4] 857-373
12pm, Monday 15 July.
WALBRAN VALLEY VIGIL BROKEN UP BY POLICE
At 10am today a 48-hour long vigil in support of those defending the Walbran
Valley from Fletcher Challenge's road builders was ordered to disperse by
police. Police had to issue two warnings under the Trespass Act before the 35
supporters of the vigil agreed to go in peace.
A company representative who called the Police refused to give any assurance
that the company would be prepared to defend their actions in public debate
with representatives of the WRAG.
"This is an issue of Greed versus Life. Fletcher Challenge's plans for the
Walbran Valley constitute a wanton act of ecological vandalism. The company
has displayed absolutely no respect for the outstanding ecological values of
this forest, nor for rapidly changing climate of public opinion within British
Columbia about the most wise and appropriate us for these ancient trees," said
group spokesman, Brent Hoare.
Supporters of the vigil displayed a banner on the first floor of Fletcher
Challenge House which read "Fletcher may Challenge, but the Earth comes
first!", sang songs, and distributed leaflets to passers-by. Many passing cars
honked horns in support.
The situation in the valley between Fletchers and members of the Environmental
Youth Alliance remains deadlocked (as of 2 am NZ time).
"I have just heard the best example of the seriousness of the situation in
Canada yet. We have learnt that the Council of Forest Industries (CoFI), the
timber industry federation in BC with which Fletcher Challenge is deeply
involved, has recently employed the services of the same PR firm that dealt
with the Exxon Valdez and Bhopal disasters. This firm ahs been hired by these
vandals to convince the people of BC and the world that everything is really
alright in the forests," said Mr Hoare.
"If Fletcher Challenge is truly concerned to maintain its self-professed image
as an environmentally responsible corporate citizen, they should immediately
abandon their plans to build this road into the Walbran."
**********ENDS***********
For further information contact:
NEW ZEALAND:
Brent Hoare,
Wellington RAG,
tel: 0064-4-850-231
fax: 0064-4-857-373
CANADA
Derek Young,
Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC),
tel: 001-604-388-9292
Fax: 001-604-388-9223
Mari Sager,
Environmental Youth Alliance,
tel: 001-604-384-6894
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What you can do:
Write letters to the Chief Executive of Fletcher Challenge to express your
outrage at the company's plans to log one of the last six valleys on Vancouver
Island that has not yet been violated by logging roads or clear-cuts.
Hugh Fletcher,
Fletcher Challenge Ltd.,
Private Bag,
Auckland, New Zealand.
Write letters to the editor of "The Dominion" newspaper in Wellington to say
how much damage Fletchers is foing to New Zealand's image as a clean, green
environmentally concerned nation.
The Editor,
The Dominion,
Private Bag,
Wellington, New Zealand.
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