GREENPEACE BLOCKADE IN GREAT BEAR RAINFOREST CONTINUES THIRD DAY

Roderick Island, B.C. 23 May 1997

Greenpeace activists will continue to blockade Doman/Western Forest Products' clearcut logging operations on Roderick Island after the company failed to get an injunction in B.C. Supreme Court Friday.

Eight protesters are still chained to logging equipment, shutting down the operation in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia's midcoast region today. The activists from Austria, Germany and Canada began their protest at around 6:00 am Wednesday morning. Since then there have been demonstrations in front of Canadian Embassies in Switzerland and Austria demanding protection for the Canadian rainforest.

At the blockade site, Greenpeace Campaigner Tzeporah Berman said "The Great Bear Rainforest is the largest intact area of temperate rainforest left in the world. At the current rate of destruction most of this global heritage will be gone in ten years."

This afternoon Western Forest Products attempted to end the protest by applying for an injunction before the BC Supreme Court. The company will try again on Monday at 10:00am.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karen Mahon cell: +1 604 220 7701 (cell)

Steve Shallhorn tel: +1 604 253 7701 (office), cell + 1 416 451 9354

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