MASSIVE LOG BARGE STILL BLOCKADED IN MASSET INLET

Protest Over Rainforest Destruction Builds as the "Haida Brave" is Confronted by Haida Activists

2nd AUGUST 1996 - 01:00
MASSET INLET, HAIDA GWAII, BRITISH COLUMBIA ,

MacMillan Bloedel's massive log barge, the "Haida Brave" has retreated into Masset Inlet after being confronted by Haida activists, protesting the logging giant's destruction of temperate rainforest on their islands.

Late yesterday, eight Haida paddled a cedar canoe into Masset Inlet in front of the village of Old Masset. Other members of the First Nations community accompanied the paddlers in small boats. The activists brought the barge to a standstill as it attempted to leave the area loaded with logs. Eventually operators of the barge retreated back inside Masset Inlet.

The action followed another confrontation with barge earlier in the day, launched by Greenpeace activists who boarded the "Haida Brave" and disrupted the loading of logs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tamara Stark in Masset: 1-604-626-3318

Tzeporah Berman in Vancouver: 1-604-253-7701

Mary MacNutt in Toronto: 1-416-597-8408

*Video of the First Phase of the Action is available through Reuters, WTN and Associated Press Video. Second phase will hopefully be available tomorrow.