Hands Off Old Growth! – Rally Oct. 4th

Old growth forests continue to be logged at a breathtaking rate. Our group, Elders for Ancient Trees, and the other environmental organizations involved in the United We Stand movement, have continued to keep up the pressure on government. We have rallied, visited MLA offices, written letters, sung carols (with forest-related lyrics) outside Ravi Parmar’s office. Last November, we helped to organize the Broken Promises rally, which highlighted the many promises made by the NDP government concerning old growth protection, none of which have been kept. Thirteen communities, right across BC, participated, supported by shared materials to help them organize successful events.

Now it’s time for renewed pressure on the government. Currently, old growth forests are more under threat than ever. Every day, roughly 100 soccer fields of old growth are logged, including areas identified for deferral. That’s over 25,000 hectares per year, more than twice the size of Vancouver! As we all know, once these ancient forest ecosystems are gone, they’re gone forever.

This is why we’re now planning a rally at the BC legislature on October 4, the day before parliament opens. This rally will be echoed in communities across BC, from Vancouver Island to Nelson. Each community can decide on their own formats, but they will be supported by materials developed in Victoria that they can adapt for their own use.

BC Legislature lawn, Victoria

October 4, 1:00–3:00 PM

Speakers, live music, and a giant “Hands Off” canvas where you can trace your hand