The RCMP arrested 33 people in the Fairy Creek area Monday and protesters say one man suffered a broken ankle after alleged “excessive” actions by police.
RCMP used all-terrain vehicles to enter the blockades and a helicopter to monitor camps in the Granite Mainline logging road area, saying several vehicles were blocking key access roads.
“More arrests are anticipated in the coming days, as several individuals continue to occupy those encampments and refuse to leave the area,” the RCMP said in a statement.
Monday’s arrests came on the one-year anniversary of the start of the blockades to defend what protesters say is some of the last old-growth timber on south Vancouver Island. RCMP said they were in the area, but hadn’t made any arrests since last Thursday.
In an emailed statement, based on a description from an unidentified protester, the Rainforest Flying Squad said a man broke an ankle after “excessive force” by police.
Monday’s actions bring to 556 the number of people arrested since tree farm licence holder Teal-Jones Group was granted an injunction by B.C. Supreme Court in May allowing authorities to arrest and detain people for violation of the order.
RCMP said several of the 33 arrested were in violation of previous release conditions.
Of the total arrests since May, RCMP said 39 protesters have been arrested a combined total of 94 times.
The blocked roadways are a concern since the fire risk on south Vancouver Island is extreme, police said.
“The use of vehicles to block roadways is not only a breach of the court-ordered injunction, but creates serious difficulties for the local fire department to access those roadways in the event of a forest fire,” said RCMP Chief Superintendent John Brewer, commander of the Community-Industry Response Group.
“I’m also once again relaying my tremendous concern about the deep trenches that have been dug up in the middle of the roads to purposefully obstruct their use by loggers and police who are trying to enforce the injunction.
“The damage created to these roads will undoubtedly hinder emergency crews from providing necessary assistance to protesters and general public in the area.”
The RCMP said its priority is also to “provide members of the Pacheedaht First Nation elected and hereditary leadership access to their territory, which they have not been able to in the year since protesters have set up their encampments in these areas.”
