Save Old Growth protesters block traffic in Vancouver on Wednesday – BC | The Canadian News

Protesters are once again blocking Grandview Highway in Vancouver on Wednesday.

The group stands with Save Old Growth, which is demanding an end to clearing old-growth forests through legislative change.

The group says it will not be deterred from stepping up action, even though drivers and commuters are frustrated by the disruption.

Last week, members of the group were dragged away by angry drivers after blocking the morning commute on the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge.

“This is our future now. People have been writing letters for 30 years, we’ve been signing petitions for 30 years, and we’ve had enough. We only have 2.7 percent of productive primary forests left and they need to be protected, end of discussion,” said Julia Torgerson, a spokeswoman for the group, in a statement.

This is the group’s 12th direct action on the roads of Vancouver in April. So far, 86 people have been arrested as part of these actions in BC, according to the group.

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Save Old Growth protesters stage a rally at the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge on Thursday

In addition to the protests, two members of the group are on a hunger strike and are demanding a public meeting with Forestry Minister Katrine Conroy. However, the minister has so far refused to meet with members of the group.

Howard Breen, 68, is on day 27 of his hunger strike and was recently admitted to hospital after not having any fluids for 50 hours.

Brent Eichler ended his strike on the 33rd due to the risk of permanent damage as he began to have difficulty walking, the group said.

Now another member, Vic Brice, has gone on a hunger strike and is on day four.

“I am shocked and dismayed that a simple citizen’s request for ‘a meeting’ could be denied,” Brice said in a statement. “Our government has become so out of touch that it will only interact with itself and industry lobbyists. We need our government to once again act in the best interest of the people, not just insiders.”