Saturday, February 25 saw one of the largest shows of public support for saving old growth forests that I’ve seen in a long time.
Many people and groups were involved in doing the organization and preparation. Banners were prepared, and amazing costumes created. I confess to doing nothing other than some minor promotion, and showing up on Saturday.
I joined the walk on Douglas Street. Hundreds and hundreds of people were walking towards the Legislature, carrying banners, and wearing costumes. I was astounded by the numbers. The line of protestors filled the street, from sidewalk to sidewalk. And it went on for blocks.
I was even more astounded by the effort people had put into their banners and costumes. This was not your traditional march, with homemade signs on cardboard (although I saw those). In this march, people became the forest and beings that they were walking to protect.
I felt that everyone was of like mind — trying to save the last vestiges of the old growth forests that are left in BC.
I joined the walkers, and found myself overcome with emotion. For how long have people been advocating for protecting old growth forests? In the early 1990’s, hundreds were arrested in one of Canada’s biggest acts of civil disobedience, in the “War of the Woods”. So many people are trying to show we have to use a different model for forestry. I was full of sadness and grief as we walked along. It seemed that we aren’t making a difference.
The banners were beautiful. I joined a section where trees and banners flowed along the road. I recalled times I had been in old growth forests, and the feelings of being in a different world they evoked — the mosses hanging down, lichens, ferns growing out of mosses partway up trees.
When I took the photo above, I was feeling so emotional, I needed to talk to someone.
I left the walkers as they began to gather on the Legislature grounds, and was pleased to see, standing in front of me, a dear friend. I approached her, and we hugged. She too was emotional, but for different reasons from me. An activist for years, she has attended many protests. And she has also been a politician, sitting on Victoria’s City Council.
However her reaction was wonderfully positive to the march. She appreciated the creativity of the ideas and the banners, and what they implied for the future. She told me, “We need creative ways of reaching the eyes and ears of decision-makers and getting them to pay attention. And we need creative ideas to solve this. This march shows that kind of creativity!”
I appreciated her positive take on the day’s events and was buoyed by her enthusiasm. The energy of thousands of like-minded people is still with me, many days later.
Appreciate your vulnerability in the telling and the photos tell a story too.
Thanks Jan. Yes, there are times to be vulnerable, and this is one of those times.
Thank you for the photos, those images weren’t obvious on the news broadcasts…what a powerful event..
Thanks Liz. It’s interesting, when I searched online to get an idea of numbers, the only thing that the media were reporting was that Neil Young was there! Yes, it was great that he came and lent his support, but he became the story, not the thousands of citizens expressing their concern.
I enjoyed reading your article and seeing the photos of people who ‘walk the talk’. Because we are a young country much of our heritage is nature. Nature has many parts; old trees are significant. It is my hope that the remaining ones remain.
Thanks Ken; yes, may the last of these old growth forests be protected.
I did not know anything about “Saving old growth forests” We often ignore old trees, etc., as saying cut it…. I was one of them. My daily walk will be different after reading your article.
Old forests need love & care the same way as we do for humans.
Eye opening article, Thank you.
I’m glad to read that you will be “seeing with new eyes” Mo! Thank you!
Real positive changes can only happen when people assemble and get together and march toward solutions for the betterment of society and the future of humanity itself.
Thanks Sarah for the great coverage and awesome post.
Thanks James!
Once again Sarah, you have captured the emotion and messages associated with the initiative. Very heart-warming and well done. Thanks.
Thank you Bernie!