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B.C., Lake Cowichan
2021-05-20 15:24 PDT
Police enforcement of the BC Supreme Court’s injunction order in the Fairy Creek Watershed area concluded the day yesterday with the arrest of five people, and two were being removed from locking devices on the bridge above Caycuse River (see news release on May 19, 2021). Those two individuals were arrested for breaching the court-ordered injunction (civil contempt of court) and processed at the Lake Cowichan RCMP Detachment. Of the total arrested, one was released on conditions with a future court date. The rest refused to sign a conditional release document and were held in custody overnight to appear before the Supreme Court in Nanaimo today, May 20, 2021.
Following the arrest of the individuals who secured themselves to locking devices on the bridge yesterday, the area was closed off to allow for Teal-Cedar Products Ltd. to clear the roadway and resume their operations.
Earlier this morning, several individuals were discovered to have returned to the enforcement area on the McClure Forest Service Road and attached themselves to structures. Police enforcement efforts resumed, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals. Six of those for breaching the injunction (civil contempt of court) and one person was escorted out with no recommended charges. The RCMP are also recommending that two individuals be charged with obstruction, two for possession of stolen property and one for obstruction and assaulting a police officer.
All arrested persons were transported to the Lake Cowichan RCMP Detachment for processing and have refused to sign a conditional release document. They will be held in custody overnight to appear before the Supreme Court in Nanaimo tomorrow, May 21, 2021.
Since enforcement began, the RCMP have now arrested 21 individuals; 17 for breaching the injunction (civil contempt of court) and 4 for obstruction. Of the 17 individuals arrested for civil contempt of court, RCMP are also recommending that 2 individuals be charged with obstruction, 2 for possession of stolen property and 1 for obstruction and assaulting a police officer.
All news releases on the Fairy Creek Watershed police enforcement issued to date can be found on the Lake Cowichan RCMP Detachment website.
Released by:
Cpl. Chris ManseauDivision Media Relations OfficerBC RCMP Communication ServicesDesk: 778-290-3791Cellular: 250-413-7954Email: chris.manseau@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
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