Victoria Police will be closing Douglas Street temporarily Saturday afternoon as an old growth protest plans to march through the area.
The protests, largely organized by Sierra Club BC and Wilderness Comittee, will march to the BC Legislature between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., Feb. 25, where demonstrators will then host several speeches and events outside the parliament.
A press release from VicPD is warning the public of that “traffic will be disrupted,” and is notifying attendants that authorities will be present for the demonstration, along with their surveillance equipment.
The demonstration aims to draw attention to the forestry industry, namely its industrial logging practices and the effect it has on old growth forests. Activists are calling on B.C. Premier David Eby and the NDP Government to “fulfill their promises to protect old growth forests,” among other issues, according to the events page.
“The rally is being held on Eby’s 100th day in office, aligning with the timeline of his pledge to accelerate action on old growth within his first 100 days.”
The demonstration will feature several key speakers from various Indigenous communities, ecologists, and David Suzuki, a prominent environmentalist.
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Roger Collins
