NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 27, 1993
CHRISTIANS ARRESTED for clayoquot
"Creation Groans," a Romans-referencing placard read as a well-
known Christian author and lecturer was arrested at this
morning's candle-lit blockade. Dr. Loren Wilkinson, professor of
Philosophy and Interdisciplinary Studies at Regent College, was
taken into police custody along with his wife, their daughter,
Heidi and 10 other protesters while blocking the entrance to the
Kennedy River logging road.
Mary Ruth Wilkinson co-wrote with her husband, Caring For
Creation In Your Own Backyard. The text details more than a
hundred ways in which Christians can take responsibility for the
environment. Dr. Loren Wilkinson has also written, Earthkeeping
In The Nineties: Stewardship of Creation. - a book which dispels
the dangerous biblical misconception of "man's dominion over
Earth" by examining the theological imperatives of environmental
care.
"We believe that what is being done in the forests of B.C. is
very poor stewardship of Creation," Dr. Wilkinson said. "I live
on Galiano Island - an island that's about half-owned by
MacMillan Bloedel. They're trying to sell it for real estate
because the big trees are all gone. They are not concerned with
sustainable forestry so much as getting profit."
Before being led away by police, Regent College lecturer
Mary Ruth Wilkinson said that as a Christian she felt "Christians
have to be present at these kinds of affairs. We need to affirm
that God wants His creation that He cares for very much to
flourish and to prosper; there's good reason to let some part of
it remain as it was in the beginning."
In other outrageous developments, an Irish woman from Kells
County Meath who won a free trip to B.C. was arrested this
morning for protesting Clayoquot clearcutting. Queen's University
student Niamh Moore, 23, won the trip for writing a paper on
deforestation in British Columbia. She is now fundraising for her
return visit to court.
Other winners include the Friends of Clayoquot Sound, whose
director, Valerie Langer, will be accepting a cheque at a Nanaimo
NDP rally this afternoon. The $800 cheque represents party dues
withheld from NDP coffers and redirected to the Friends because
of Premiere Harcourt's intransigence on reconsidering an
increasingly disastrous decision. The protest continues after
Prime Minister Kim Campbell refused yesterday to state her
election position on Clayoquot Sound.
For more information call Will Thomas 725-4218
FRIENDS OF CLAYOQUOT SOUND
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 28/93
NDP FAITHFUL, NATIVE ELDER ARRESTED ON BLOCKADE
Two long-time NDP followers and a native man from Bamfield
were among 13 people arrested at this morning's blockade. Life-
long supporters of the New Democrats, Irene Abbey and her son
Norman have served as canvassers, scrutineers and dues-paying
members for 54 years. But following their party's decision to log
three-quarters of the last viable temperate rainforest left on
Vancouver Island, the Abbeys elected to vote with their feet
today.
"I accept with great pride the honor of being arrested for
standing on guard for Canada," Irene Abbey told 190 cheering
supporters from Salt Spring, Gabriola Island and other Canadian
communities as police led her away. A fifth-generation Canadian,
the blockade's oldest arrestee is 81.
As cracks continue to widen among NDP ranks, other New
Democrats on the blockade expressed dismay and revulsion at their
party's betrayal. "I feel lied to and let down," stated Bill
Curtin. An ardent NDP supporter for the past 10 years, Curtin has
not renewed his membership after his party's "breach of faith"
over Clayoquot Sound. Speaking for many ex-NDP followers who have
ripped up their membership cards, Curtin concluded: "Mr. Harcourt
will have to acknowledge his error, or simply be replaced."
Barclay Sound native Willy Sport thanked the group for being
on the road this summer. He said their presence and 750 arrests
have pushed Harcourt to meet with Clayoquot native leaders next
week. "Now a spokesman for Harcourt is saying, `We forgot to ask
the First Nations about our Clayoquot decision' - you did this,"
the 69 year-old Sport said before he being taken away.
With the summertime Peace Camp situated in a clearcut
vulnerable to winter storms and flooding, the decision has been
made to close the camp next Monday and concentrate on
international boycotts and consumer awareness. "But direct
actions are not over," Friends of Clayoquot Sound director
Valerie Langer declared. "We're still encouraging affinity groups
and self-sufficient campers to come up and maintain spot
blockades every week."
"It's been a tremendous success," Friends director Bonny
Glambeck echoed. "After the biggest civil disobedience action in
Canadian history, Clayoquot Sound is now a household word. It's
time to refocus our energies on the cities, courts and consumer
markets worldwide. Corporate Fall is just beginning."
For more information call Valerie Langer or Will Thomas at 725-4218