26 January 2001
Court frees grandmother jailed for trying to save ancient forest

Vancouver: Greenpeace today applauded the decision by the BC Supreme Court to release prisoner of conscience Betty Krawczyk from jail. The 72-year-old great grandmother has been incarcerated since September 15, 2000 for peacefully protesting Interfor's clearcut logging of BC's ancient temperate rainforest. Ms. Krawczyk's "crime" had been to sit in the middle of a logging road in the Elaho Valley to block the passage of Interfor trucks. She did this despite a court injunction obtained by Interfor to prevent logging protests.

At the time of her arrest, Ms Krawczyk made it clear that she felt morally and ethically compelled to defy the injunction in order to prevent the greater crime - the devastation of a global environmental treasure.

Greenpeace forest campaigner Catherine Stewart commented: "Today's unconditional discharge finally vindicates Betty's belief that she has the right to defend the environment for her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Neither Betty nor the majority of the world community consider her actions criminal. Still, she was prepared to pay the price for standing up for her beliefs."

Ms. Krawczyk's incarceration began on the anniversary of a violent and premeditated assault on an environmental camp in the Elaho Valley which was carried out by dozens of Interfor workers and their supporters. Earlier this month, the only five men to be charged in this vigilante action pleaded guilty and were given suspended sentences, along with instructions to seek anger management counselling. In delivering these sentences, Justice Ellen Burdett chastised Interfor for its "tacit corporate approval" of the assault.

Outside the courthouse, Ms. Krawczyk said, "Peaceful protest on a logging road is considered more heinous than actual criminal activity such as the Hell's Angels dealing drugs because drug dealers don't challenge corporate values. When I stood on that logging road it affirmed human values over the profit motive and that's considered far more dangerous by corporations and governments."

Stewart added: "The plight of the ancient forests of British Columbia is no better served by jailing forestry workers than by jailing grandmothers. The real crimes are being perpetrated behind boardroom doors and fuelled by government complacency. We can only hope the court's decision today is the first step towards real change in attitudes towards forestry issues in BC. "

During Betty's time in jail over 10,000 letters have been sent by cyberactivists to the Premier of BC, and 7000 to the CEO of Interfor demanding the release of Betty and protection of the forest she was jailed trying to protect. Thank you to everyone who sent a letter.

For more information about Greenpeace's ancient forests campaign, email: guestforest@ams.greenpeace.org