Announcing the Eco Warriors Legal Trust: "Legal aid for environmentalists"
by VIC FAN
At a time when the Harper government tries to brand environmental activists as "radicals" and "extremists," one group is pushing back and claiming the banner of "Eco Warriors."
One week ago, Vancouver Island Community Forest Action Network (VIC FAN) established the Eco Warriors Legal Trust. The legal defence fund is a "community chest" for court costs arising from environmental activism, especially opposition to tankers, pipelines, and the tar sands.
Catherine Boies Parker and the public-interest law firm of Underhill Boies Parker will administer the trust at the direction of VIC FAN. On Monday, October 1, Zoe Blunt presented the trust with a cheque for $250, which represents the first week's fundraising and five percent of the campaign's $5000 goal.
The Forest Action legal trust was established in 2009 for VIC FAN vs. City of Langford, a Supreme Court petition challenging abuse of process at Langford's public hearings. The trust was transferred to Catherine Boies Parker in 2010 for the Marine Trail Resort file. It funded the legal opinion that demolished real estate baron Ender Ilkay's plans for a huge subdivision west of China Beach.
On October 22, David Suzuki and others are calling for the "largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history" in Victoria. Thousands of people are expected to risk arrest at the BC Legislature to stop tankers and pipelines. http://defendourcoast.ca
"People who risk their freedom to protect the coast are heroes," says VIC FAN director Zoe Blunt. "The least we can do is make sure they have legal representation."
*(Note: The Eco Warriors Legal Trust is not affiliated with the 2012 documentary film Eco Warriors produced by Vancouver Islander Jennifer Pickford.)
Hotline: 250-813-3569
Email: Zoe@WildCoast.ca
Web: www.WildCoast.ca
