Save Old Growth says it's ending disruptive BC highway protests

Photo: Save Old Growth

An activist group that's drawn ire for blocking major roadways in British Columbia says those disruptions are ending.

“Major traffic disruptions will end today,” reads a statement from Save Old Growth's central organizing committee.

“Other strategies will be used that won’t stop traffic," the statement continues. "We continue to request the government take urgent steps to permanently protect B.C.'s remaining old growth forests.”

To draw attention to the issue of logging old growth trees – a practice that polls show many British Columbians think should be curbed – members of Save Old Growth have blocked highways with their bodies and vehicles.

Those roadways include Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing, Lions Gate Bridge, the Trans-Canada Highway, George Massey Tunnel and the Pat Bay Highway near Greater Victoria's Swartz Bay ferry terminal. On several occasions, angry drivers have confronted the protesters verbally and physically. Some of those drivers have said that the group is only drawing negative attention to its cause, and that no one cares about climate change.

Some of its members are facing criminal charges for their actions. North Vancouver resident Ben Holt, 52, sits in court Wednesday morning on mischief charges. Holt was arrested by West Vancouver police June 14 after gluing his hands to the Upper Levels Highway between Caulfeild and Horseshoe Bay.