NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 24, 1993
GULF WAR PEACE CAMPER ARRESTED
AT CLAYOQUOT BLOCKADE
Muriel Sibley, 48, who spent several weeks camped in the desert between Iraq
and Saudi Arabia during the Desert Storm Gulf War in 1991, joined the
Clayoquot Sound blockade and was arrested this morning.
"I've always been a peace activist," said Sibley at the blockade site. "But
I've come to realise the war on the environment is really the 3rd World War.
Individual citizens have to stand up and say we are taking it seriously, and
will continue to do so until our governments respond." Today was Hornby
Island day on the blockade. 175 protesters stood on the road as Macmillan
Bloedel representatives read the court injunction, part of a daily ritual
since July 5th, 1993. A total of 18 citizens were arrested, including a
logger, electrician, carpenter, teachers, artists, and students, ranging in
age from 12 to 70 years old. Two young offenders were released, possibly to
be summonsed to court at a later date.
A pre-trial conference was held yesterday in Victoria for the lawyers of the
214 arrestees facing a mass trial in the Newcombe Auditorium next month.
Defense and Crown lawyers discussed with Justice Richard Low the possibility
of breaking the mass trial into smaller trials. The judge stated "My strong
inclination is towards smaller trials". The judge has not made a ruling, and
will hear from lawyers again next Thursday, September 30th.
Meanwhile police have clarified that Craig Morton, son of SHARE director
Mike Morton, was not arrested during last weekend's attack on the Peace
Camp, but was held for questioning, and later released.
Witnesses from the Peace Camp have identified several of the attackers, and
asked RCMP to lay charges. Ucluelet Sergeant Bishop said charges against two
of the attackers were likely, but said the Crown must first decide that
charges against the attackers are in the public interest. "We certainly hope
the Crown proceeds against these thugs to send them a message that society
will not tolerate violent, vigilante style actions against peaceful
citizens" said FOCS spokesperson Bonny Glambeck".