January 4, 2001
A slap on the wrist for logging vigilantes, while a peaceful protestor sits in jail

Vancouver - Five British Columbia men were given a slap on the wrist sentence for their participation in what the prosecution described as a violent and premeditated assault against peaceful protesters in the Elaho Valley.

The five men were just a few of the over 70 who took part in the September 15, 1999 assault against local environmentalists in the Elaho Valley.

The men received one-year suspended sentences and the requirements of their probation will include anger management training, writing letters of apology and providing $1250 in restitution to three of their victims.

Greenpeace Forest Campaigner Catherine Stewart, based in Vancouver, says we need to take a long, hard look at a justice system that allows this to happen.

"In BC, grandmothers get a year in jail for sitting peacefully in the middle of the road," said Catherine Stewart, referring to 72-year-old Betty Krawczyk, currently serving a one-year jail sentence for attempting to save 1000 year-old trees from Interfor chainsaws.

"While vigilantes, on the other hand, are told to take anger management courses. BC's international reputation will get another black eye when word of this sentence gets out, which it will."

While Greenpeace applauds Justice Ellen Burdett's reference to Interfor's tacit approval of the assault, the group condemns her suggestion that "calculated provocation" by the protesters should be a mitigating factor in passing such light sentences. "That's rather like saying rapists should receive a suspended sentence because their victim was wearing a short skirt. Blaming the victim is reprehensible," said Stewart.

TAKE ACTION: Send a message to the Premier of British Columbia and the CEO of Interfor.