ENVIRONMENTALIST'S CHALLENGE ON INTERFOR INJUNCTION DISMISSED

ENVIRONMENTALIST'S CHALLENGE ON INTERFOR INJUNCTION DISMISSED
Rainforest blockade in legal limbo as case moves to next level
Vancouver, B.C 19 June 1997
As the blockade of logging operations at Ista on King Island enters its 14th day, Justice John Hall this morning dismissed a petition by Cameron Ward, council for the defendants to overturn a law suit bought against members of the Nuxalk Nation and environmentalists. The law suit forms the foundation upon which a court injunction was granted to logging giant Interfor which forbids interference with their logging operations.
Wards arguments against the law suit centered around flaws in Interfor's legal submissions, but Justice Hall did not accept the assertion that Interfor's law suit should be thrown out of court. The next step is to take the case to the Supreme Court of Appeal, where a team of three judges will preside over the case. A court appearance is expected to be fixed for Friday.
"It is disheartening that big timber companies are able to continue using the courts to quell public opposition of their forest practices" stated Tzeporah Berman, spokesperson for Greenpeace Canada outside the courthouse.
Meanwhile, Ward is seeking word from the Attorney Generals office that the injunction not be enforced pending the outcome of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
"It is inappropriate for the RCMP to arrest people under the injunction while we are challenging them in the court of appeal." stated Ward.
On the blockade, where the RCMP remain on standby, people's spirits are high . Local residents, first nations, and environmentalists are continuing to work together to protect Ista, joined by a handful of environmentalists from around the world.
"The message that ibn't getting out to the world" explained FAN spokesperson Gain Edward, "is that this blockade was initiated by local people from the Nuxalk Nation in Bella Coola. This is not about large outside groups dictating local issues, rather we are answering the call of local residents to assist them in the protection of a sacred place"

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Gavin Edward, Forest Action Network: (604) 739-4782
Tzeporah Berman or Mary MacNutt, Greenpeace: (604) 253-7701
Tamara Stark at Ista, aboard the MV Moby Dick: 011-872-624-628-410
Head Chief Nuximlayc (Lawrence Pootlass), House of Smayusta: (250) 799 -5376