PRISONER FOR TREES
25-year-old Christopher Parry was arrested on August 31 for blocking
a logging road in the Walbran Valley. On September 15, he appeared
for an initial court hearing, and when he refused to sign bail conditions,
he was sent to jail. He will remain in jail at least until his trial, on
December 10.
The Walbran and Carmanah Valley area is the land of the indigenous
Qwa-ba-diwa people. With the organization Friends of
Carmanah/Walbran, they have served injunctions on the
Carmanah/Walbran logging operations -- conducted by Macmillan-
Bloedel and Fletcher Challenge -- asking for an end to all clear-cutting
in the region. The Carmanah/Walbran is one of Canada's last ancient
rainforests.
When he was arrested, Christopher Parry was hanging underneath
a bridge along which the loggers drive. The ropes supporting him were
tied around the bridge in such a way that, if a logging vehicle had
driven over, he would have fallen into a steep ravine.
Parry, who has been recognized by the Qwa-ba-diwa as a 'protected
citizen' of their nation, refused to recognize the jurisdiction of a
non-native court system over the land. He therefore would not
cooperate with the court, and would not sign release conditions
which included promises to "stay at least 30 km away from active
logging in the Walbran Valley" and to "keep the peace and be of
good behaviour".
Parry has been charged under a civil suit by the logging company
Fletcher Challenge, and only Fletcher Challenge has the authority to
have him released without conditions, according to the British
Columbia Attorney General's office. Please write letters demanding
his release to Fletcher Challenge, 700 Georgia W. Vancouver, B.C.
V7Y 1H6. Letters protesting against logging in the Walbran Valley
can be sent to Fletcher Challenge or to Macmillan Bloedel, 925 W.
Georgia, Vancouver, B.C., V6C 1P9. Donations can be sent to the Chris
Parry Defence Fund, 322 St. James St., Victoria, B.C., V8V 1J8.