Mounties return to enforce injunction against logging blockade on Vancouver Island

Opponents of old-growth logging have re-entered the restricted area on southwest Vancouver Island and Mounties have returned to enforce a court injunction that orders their removal. 

Cpl. Chris Manseau says the RCMP thought Wednesday they had cleared everyone from blockade camps along a remote forest service road west of Lake Cowichan, B.C., allowing Teal Cedar Products to resume work.

But he says in a statement that several people returned to the area and attached themselves to structures. Seven people were arrested Thursday as a result — police say six of them are accused of breaking a court injunction, but no charges have been recommended against the seventh.

Officers are also recommending obstruction charges against two people, possession of stolen property charges against two people, and obstruction and assaulting a police officer against one person, according to an RCMP press release.

On Thursday, Manseau said 21 people had so far been arrested this week as police began enforcing the injunction granted April 1.

More than three dozen protesters gathered in front of the Environment Ministry offices in Victoria Thursday saying they support those arrested.

Protesters set up camp along the McClure forest service road around Easter, while others have been camping since last August around the Fairy Creek watershed near Port Renfrew, which they say is the last unprotected, intact old-growth forest valley on southern Vancouver Island.