Save Old Growth Stages Protest at BC Legislature in Victoria

A group of Save Old Growth veterans staged a peaceful protest at the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia this morning, on the opening day of the legislative session.

I counted 16 participants at peak attendance—and about as many police officers and security guards. Clearly law enforcement was bracing itself for the worst as it cordoned off the area, but to everyone’s relief the event unfolded without incident and the officers ended up lowering their guard a little. Also notable was the media presence, multiple outlets being represented and conducting interviews (maybe they too expected trouble).

The event was clearly meant as a charm operation, trying to reach out primarily to our elected representatives but ultimately to anyone who would stop by and chat, including locals and tourists. Protesters made it a point to quote BC Supreme Court Justice Douglas W. Thompson describing them as ordinary citizens as opposed to ecoterrorists in a recent judgement:

Not a single person of the more than 100 I have sentenced has previously committed an offence. They are highly intelligent people, non-violent and principled by nature. They are not naïve and misguided dupes of some shadowy organisation aiming to break down the rule of law. They are not trouble-makers with nothing better to do. Most are well educated with fulfilling and important jobs, often in occupations focused on helping others. Most have a notable history of volunteer service. Their motives are altruistic and compassionate.

BC Supreme Court Justice Douglas W. Thompson

Although the distant observer may be forgiven for dismissing the protesters as a bunch of hippies desperate for attention improvising a gig on public grounds, I can attest to the fact it was carefully planned, the organisers making up for a lack of strategic sense with a flair for tactics. Protesters were stretched out at multiple locations in order to maximise their exposure, minding how their message would be received, and were constantly testing the security cordon to see how much they could get away with, going as far as drawing messages with chalk all over the Legislature’s grounds.

A tarnished brand like that of Save Old Growth may prove extremely difficult to salvage, but this is a step in the right direction. I myself had reached the conclusion, especially after the disastrous ladder incident, that the group needed to turn itself around somehow and take the fight to the decision-makers instead of blocking the wrong roads and alienating a public that was otherwise largely receptive to its views, and it’s reached a similar conclusion somehow. From what I observed today, this strategy seems to be working, although in a modest manner; let’s wait and see whether the strategy can scale up to the point the brand can make a comeback.