Wild Earth in the Public Eye
by Zoe Blunt
 Last week, I took a call from Public Eye Online editor Sean Holman about the upcoming Wild Earth eco-conference in Bella Coola. Holman suggested it wasn't "appropriate" to invite anti-poverty activist Thomas Malenfant to host a workshop on Resisting the Olympics at a gathering focused on discussing non-violent activism.
Referring to Malenfant's arrest last year for symbolically evicting the Premier from his Vancouver office, Holman asked why a "convicted criminal" was on the schedule for Wild Earth.
I reminded him that a convicted criminal is running the province, and asked what kind of double standard Holman is trying to invoke. The suggestion that Malenfant should not be allowed to discuss his political work and experience is ridiculous and insulting.
Malenfant's actions at Gordon Campbell's office stemmed from the principle of holding government officials to account when they ignore the public interest – in this case, the crisis of homelessness. He will be discussing that principle and much more at the week-long campout August 25-31.
Malenfant notes that Vancouver police officers don't always act within the law, but they get a free pass from Holman and others in the media.
- "The Vancouver Police Department carries out far more vulgar illegal evictions on a monthly basis as part of their committment to social cleansing in the lead-up to the Olympic games," Malenfant says. "The difference here that makes what I did 'criminal' is that it was in a West End office instead of an east side apartment and we weren't wearing uniforms."
Holman's article in Public Eye Online and 24 Hours magazine went on to smear Malenfant's motives. Holman quotes two other reporters who quote VPD Constable Howard Chow saying,
- "These aren't activists, they're not protesters, these are people intent on coming to events, to offices, to people's residences, and they're intent on breaking the law."
To which we have to ask: Who granted Chow the power to discern who is an activist? It's obvious that Malenfant's actions were political. What does Chow hope to gain by pretending otherwise?
It seems that the local police are nervous about social and environmental justice advocates joining forces at Wild Earth. Native and non-native activists are also finding common cause at the gathering. Police officers and certain journalists may try to slam the conference and its presenters, but as long as the government remains blind to injustice and inequality, people like Thomas Malenfant will keep ramping up the pressure on the officials responsible.
Conference schedule and background follows.
Wild Earth Rendezvous, August 25-31, 2008, Bella Coola, BC
The tenth annual forest action training camp will be hosted in Bella Coola this year. Learn from those who are protecting the land we love. Share skills with new volunteers. RSVP for hands-on workshops, networking and campaign opportunities this summer.
Learn – Share – Volunteer – Teach
Thank you to Qwatsinas and the Nuxalk First Nation's House of Smayusta for inviting Wild Earth to their territory!
Workshops and Discussions (keep checking back for updates)
Welcome to Nuxalk Territory – Elder Chief Nuximlayc Welcome songs - K'puts The Great Bear Rainforest and the House of Smayusta - Qwatsinas Clayoquot Sound Logging and First Nations - Steve Lawson and Suzanne Hare Resisting the Olympics - Thomas Malenfant Environmental Racism – Danielle Hagen Conflict Resolution and Non-Violence Training – Zoe Blunt and Danielle Hagen Tree Climbing Safety – Chris Johnson Herbal First Aid - Garliq Wilderness First Aid – John Hobart First Aid for Protestors – John Hobart Basic Survival – John Hobart Rainforest Campaigns in Olympia – Pat Rasmussen Swimming for Change – Renate Herberger Wild Women's Circle - Radish
Get on the bus! We are arranging rides from Victoria, Vancouver and Kamloops.
RSVP! Zoeblunt@gmail.com
Forest action hotline: 250-885-8219
On the web: wildearth2008.blogspot.com.
Get involved!
Join the volunteer crew, spread the word, put up posters, help with food donations and transportation planning.
Wild Earth is all-grassroots, all-volunteer, and hosted by coastal forest advocates. Sponsored by Vancouver Island Community Forest Action Network (forestaction.wikidot.com) and the Nuxalk First Nation House of Smayusta
( http://www.nuxalknation.org/content/blogcategory/39/67/).
ZoeBlunt@gmail.com
VIC FAN
forestaction.wikidot.com
Wild Earth
wildearth2008.blogspot.com
250-885-8219
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