On Saturday March 29, 1300 committed individuals came together in what is described as the largest environmental protest in BC since the famous Clayoquot Sound blockades of 1993, in which 900 were arrested. Organized by the Western Canada Wilderness Committee, it was by all accounts a smashing success.

Despite a jangling mix of sunshine, rain, wind and snow, participants came together from diverse parts of the BC forest community. It was one of the first clear indications of solidarity between forestry workers and environmentalists, which have long been at odds with one another.

The three main issues were preservation of the remaining old-growth forests, banning the export of raw logs, which erases sawmill jobs, and the sustainable harvesting of second-growth forests. Old-growth trees are able to sequester far more carbon than an equivalent number of second-growth trees, making these ecosystems important carbon sinks against climate change.

These three themes have united a broad base of activists, communities, and politicians that are no longer willing to accept the sell-out of what remains of the forestry industry on the Canadian West Coast. Organizers were aiming for a 1,000 person turn-out, and were delighted to have 1,300. "Today we sent an undeniably strong and decisive message to the BC Liberal government that the fate of our ancient forests and forestry jobs can bring out more determined advocates onto the streets than any other issue right now," stated Ken Wu, Campaign Director for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee in Victoria, BC, from the Legislature building steps.

People cheered loudly in support of the forestry workers’ union. The attendance of one hundred union members created a palpable feeling of solidarity and effectiveness, and helped ease the burden of conflict that had in the past soured relations between the Labour and Environment camps.

The rally concluded with the formation of two complete rings of people holding hands around the Provincial government buildings where the event was staged.

It was a powerful event that showed without a doubt that British Columbians still care deeply about their world-class forest ecosystems, and intend to do whatever is necessary to preserve what is left of the classic old-growth and to manage second-growth forests for a new generation of Canadian forestry workers.