Hello Elders,
This is a very short callout, mainly to let you know about what’s coming up in November. As BC’s new Premier is being sworn in, we Old-Growth Supporters need to raise a bit of a ruckus to encourage David Eby to implement old-growth deferrals immediately.
Some of us Elders have been racking our brains for an idea of something different enough to capture the attention of some media. Read below to find out what we came up with: FlashMob for Forests! Then read on for other actions you can take in the immediate future.
See you at the FlashMob!
Yours,
Susan & Jackie
FlashMob for Forests!
Imagine a busy shopping space suddenly erupting into a scene of Elders and friends dancing and lip-syncing to the tune of Stop in the Name of Love, but with revised, old-growth lyrics. Followed by a short, passionate speech to astounded shoppers, distribution of leaflets promoting protection of ancient forests, and asking them to save the date for the action on Feb 25.
This FlashMob event is what the Elders are planning for Dec 1 at an as-yet undisclosed location.
Our resident ballerina, Amalia Schelhorn, has choreographed the dance. She will send out the lyrics, organize a rehearsal, and lead us through the process, instilling confidence in even those of us with two left feet. Have a look at last summer’s event on Lasqueti Island here.
For this action we need at least 20 FlashMob dancers. The time commitment is (A) a rehearsal on Thursday, Nov 24 at 9:30 am; and (B) a rehearsal and the FashMob event on Thursday, Dec 1, lasting from 9:30 – 1:30. This will be a spirit-building, fun event!
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN PARTICIPATE. WE NEED TO KNOW IN ADVANCE! Email oldfolksforoldgrowth@gmail.com, subject line: FlashMob! Please include your name and phone number. We’ll then send you detailed information about the rehearsal location and the event itself. (Note to non-dancers: We will also need folks for the important tasks of holding up banners, handing out leaflets, etc. We’ll send you more information later.)
Other Nov/Dec Events and Actions
Saturday, Nov 26: 40th Peninsula Co-op Santa Claus Parade. Parents 4 Climate have a float in the Santa Parade to increase awareness and encourage people to reduce their waste during the festive season. Here’s their description: “We’ll be dressing like elves (whatever that might look like to you) lit with battery-powered LEDs, and handing out flyers with the Top 5 ways to have a zero-waste Christmas. The flyer will include a webpage link with a teaser about Feb 25. This is not a disruptive action, just a fun event that encourages folks to join the movement and/or do what they can at home. We will have people of all ages with us, including young kids and teens.” Elders are welcome! The route goes from the Leg to Fisgard. To RSVP or find out more, contact Katie at p4c@forourkids.ca.”
Monday, Nov 21: New Premier = Phone Blitz for Old Forests! David Eby’s first day in office as Premier will be Monday, Nov 21. Let’s fill his phone lines and demand he move quickly to stop the destruction of at-risk old growth! Wilderness Committee has developed a way for us to flood David Eby’s office with phone messages.
Nov/Dec: Email Premier Eby to Deliver on Old Growth. From STAND.earth: “When Premier-Designate David Eby announced his ‘100-day plan’ he committed to accelerate implementation of the old-growth recommendations as one of his top priorities after being sworn in. This wouldn’t have happened without the people-power led movement that has grown over the past two years to protect these ancient forests and honour Indigenous rights.”But just a week later, the B.C. government put out an announcement marking supposed progress on old growth commitments. Instead of providing clear information and responding to calls to action from thousands of people like you, the province doubled down on its deceptive tactics – leaving the public in the dark and worse, continuing to mislead people about the true status of what’s been destroyed and what’s still at-risk.
“Without publicly-accessible maps or data, the B.C. government can’t back up its claims. But satellite research and on-the-ground documentation does not lie – the most at-risk old-growth forests are still being logged. Emergency logging bans were the bare minimum first step that were supposed to be implemented within six months by the government’s own Old Growth Strategic Review submitted back in April 2020. This ‘smoke and mirrors’ kind of announcement is unacceptable. It’s David Eby’s responsibility to get his government back on course – and quickly. So let’s make sure he does that in his first 100 days as Premier. Here’s a quick and easy action you can take.”
Nov/Dec: Stop the Wood Pellet Industry! Logging old growth is bad enough; logging forests for wood pellets is unforgivable. STAND.earth is calling us to take action through emails: 1) Email BC decision makers; 2) Email federal decision makers; 3) Email Drax decision makers:
Ongoing actions
Wednesday Vigils for Old Growth: Last Wednesday of each Month (Nov 30, Dec 28) from 3 – 5 pm in front of the Victoria Tourist Centre, corner of Government and Wharf. Hold up a banner or sign, banners, distribute pamphlets, interact with pedestrians and motorists. For more information, Aaron Padolsky: aaron.padolsky@gmail.com.
Friday Rock Painting for the Arrestee Installation: 10 – 2pm drop-in at the Community Art Hub, Quadra Village Community Centre, 901 King’s Rd (at the back). Kids are welcome.
From Tasha: “We wear masks if there are more than three people. It’s a small space. Check the Community Art Hub Facebook page for up-to-date information.”
The Arestee Installation is near the northeast corner of Hilda and Cook St on the boulevard.
In the News
And, just to get your blood boiling, here are a couple of recent articles and reports.
Nov 9, The Narwhal, B.C. hasn’t taken up the $50 million federal offer for old-growth forest protections. Sarah Cox points out that the BC government is letting substantial old-growth protection funds slip by unclaimedNov 2022 update from Sierra Club BC on Endangered Species. An up-to-the-minute report on the situation of species-at-risk in BC.
Meanwhile, dear Elders, as we move towards the darkest days of the year, let’s keep reminding ourselves that we do have the power to create change. This is a time of transition and uncertainty in our province. Let’s seize the moment!