It seems that someone was intent on starting the new year with a spark! On January 2nd a massive equipment fire on the Caycuse Main logging road (approximately an hour and 15 minutes outside of Lake Cowichan) burned three machines in one location and another machine nearby. The logging operation quoted the damage at $500,000, saying they were saddened, you know, knowing that a lot of money had just gone up in flames. The machines themselves are worth millions.
The long history of struggles against logging on Vancouver Island has always had a persistent contingency advocating for non-violent civil disobedience. Just last year there were reports from the provincial government of tree spiking in the area. And just 30 minutes away from the site of the arson sits the Walbran Valley Blockade a successor to the Fairy Creek blockade legacy.
Forestry operations were quick to blame the occupation for the damage. The official camp stated that it explicitly prohibits violence and the damage or destruction of property. They stated their support for a full and transparent investigation and that the group remains committed to a peaceful presence, accountability, and truth, and will continue to act in accordance with its code of conduct. While this particular equipment fire burnt bright on January 2nd, it seems that the fire in the hearts of these activists was extinguished long ago.
Once again we see the slandering of those who directly attack the world of industrialization, ridding themselves of mediation and the political process, by those who would rather reproduce the world as it is. Activists and NGOs will continue to condemn direct action when it disrupts the respectability of their narrowly defined old growth logging campaigns. Whether it be second, third, fourth, or old-growth being logged, it is all a part of reproducing a society that relies on dominating us. As those in power continue defiling the forests, our relations with one another, and with ourselves, some individuals took matters into their own hands by destroying what destroys us.
– Unsung
Editor note: This article was originally published by the bcc editors and then later updated with an anonymous editorial from the Unsung project.