Fairy Creek old-growth logging protests

{{Short description|Ongoing environmentalist and indigenous rights protests}}

{{Infobox islands

| name = Fairy Creek

| native_name =

| native_name_link =

| native_name_lang =

| sobriquet =

| image_name =FairyCreekBlockade.jpg

| image_size =

| image_caption = Protesters retake "Camp Land Back" from the RCMP at the Fairy Creek blockade, August 2021

| image_alt =

| image_map =

| image_map_alt =

| image_map_size =

| image_map_caption =

| pushpin_map = Canada British Columbia

| pushpin_label =

| pushpin_label_position =

| pushpin_map_alt =

| pushpin_relief =

| pushpin_map_caption =

| coordinates = {{coord|48|35|1|N|124|21|0|W|display=it}}

| etymology =

| location = Vancouver Island

| grid_reference =

| archipelago =

| waterbody =

| total_islands =

| major_islands =

| area_km2 =

| area_footnotes =

| rank =

| length_km =

| length_footnotes =

| width_km =

| width_footnotes =

| coastline_km =

| coastline_footnotes =

| elevation_m =

| elevation_footnotes =

| highest_mount =

| country = Canada

| country_admin_divisions_title = Province

| country_admin_divisions = British Columbia

| country_admin_divisions_title_1 = Regional district

| country_admin_divisions_1 = Capital Regional District

| country_admin_divisions_title_2 =

| country_admin_divisions_2 = Pacheedaht First Nation

| country_capital_type =

| country_capital =

| country_largest_city_type =

| country_largest_city =

| country_capital_and_largest_city =

| country_largest_city_population =

| country_leader_title =

| country_leader_name =

| country_area_km2 =

| country1 =

| country1_admin_divisions_title =

| country1_admin_divisions =

| country1_admin_divisions_title_1 =

| country1_admin_divisions_1 =

| country1_capital_type =

| country1_capital =

| country1_largest_city_type =

| country1_largest_city =

| country1_capital_and_largest_city =

| country1_largest_city_population =

| country1_leader_title =

| country1_leader_name =

| country1_area_km2 =

| demonym =

| population =

| population_as_of =

| population_footnotes =

| population_rank =

| population_rank_max =

| density_km2 =

| density_rank =

| density_footnotes =

| languages =

| ethnic_groups =

| timezone1 =

| utc_offset1 =

| timezone1_DST =

| utc_offset1_DST =

| website =

| additional_info =

| footnotes =

}}

Protests against old-growth logging in the southern Vancouver Island region of British Columbia (BC), Canada, escalated through later 2020 and into 2021. These events, many coalescing around the Fairy Creek watershed northeast of Port Renfrew, represent a critical moment in BC's recurring history of conflict related to ecological values and the forest industry, recalling the Clayoquot Protests (or "War in the Woods") of the early 1990s.{{Cite news|last=Hunter|first=Justine|date=May 27, 2021|title=Fairy Creek blockade 2021: What you need to know about the anti-logging protest in B.C.|work=The Globe and Mail|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-fairy-creek-blockade-2021-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-anti-logging/|url-access=subscription|access-date=May 29, 2021}} It has been described as "one of the largest [acts of] civil disobedience in Canadian history," with over 1,000 protesters arrested on the site as of February 11, 2022.{{cite news |last1=Hainsworth |first1=Jeremy |title=B.C. premier tells Fairy Creek protesters to go home |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/news/b-c/b-c-premier-tells-fairy-creek-protesters-to-go-home-1.24358663 |access-date=20 September 2021 |work=Times Colonist |agency=Glacier Media}}{{cite web |last1=Hayward |first1=Jonathan |title=Fairy Creek protesters' bid to have charges stayed is 'simply not the way justice is done': Crown lawyer |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/protest-court-proceedings-1.6348014 |website=CBC News |access-date=March 10, 2022}}

Background

In August 2020, protests against old growth logging began to escalate in remaining sensitive watershed areas in southern Vancouver Island.{{Cite web|last1=Renner|first1=Serena|last2=Yunker|first2=Zoë|title=The Fairy Creek blockaders: inside the complicated fight for B.C.'s last ancient forests|url=https://thenarwhal.ca/fairy-creek-blockade-bc-old-growth/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329220244/https://thenarwhal.ca/fairy-creek-blockade-bc-old-growth/|archive-date=March 29, 2021|access-date=May 29, 2021|website=The Narwhal|date=March 26, 2021 |language=en}} Precipitating events included the release in Fall 2020 of a major report{{Cite web|publisher=British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development|first=|date=April 30, 2020|title=A New Future for Old Forests: A Strategic Review of How British Columbia Manages for Old Forests Within its Ancient Ecosystems|url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/old-growth-forests|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521204642/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forest-resources/old-growth-forests|archive-date=May 21, 2021|access-date=May 29, 2021|website=www2.gov.bc.ca}} and recommendations related to managing and protecting old growth forests in British Columbia and subsequent delay in implementation of the report recommendations, together with increased logging activity in sensitive old growth areas of South Vancouver Island, including the Fairy Creek Watershed by Teal Jones, a forestry company based in Nanaimo.{{Cite web|last=MacLeod|first=Andrew|date=March 11, 2021|title=BC Promised to Protect Old Growth. How Is It Doing?|url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/03/11/BC-Promised-Protect-Old-Growth/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407183821/https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/03/11/BC-Promised-Protect-Old-Growth/|archive-date=April 7, 2021|access-date=May 29, 2021|website=The Tyee|language=English}}

= Indigenous peoples in the region =

The Fairy Creek Watershed is in Pacheedaht First Nation territory. Pacheedaht elected leadership distanced itself from logging protest activity in 2021, citing their right to manage territorial resources within their resource stewardship plan. Pacheedaht First Nation entered into a forest revenue agreement with the BC government in 2017.{{Cite web|last=Kloster|first=Darron|title=Pacheedaht First Nation says old-growth activists 'not welcome' in Fairy Creek area|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/pacheedaht-first-nation-says-old-growth-activists-not-welcome-in-fairy-creek-area-1.24306412|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415180925/https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/pacheedaht-first-nation-says-old-growth-activists-not-welcome-in-fairy-creek-area-1.24306412|archive-date=April 15, 2021|access-date=May 29, 2021|website=Times Colonist|date=April 12, 2021 }}{{Cite web|title=Pacheedaht First Nation Forest & Range Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreement (FCRSA)|url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/agreements/pacheedaht_signed_february_17_2021_1.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531060835/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first-nations/agreements/pacheedaht_signed_february_17_2021_1.pdf|archive-date=May 31, 2021}} In terms of stewardship, First Nations involved in the forestry industry may exceed provincial logging and replanting standards while relying on forestry activities to build and diversify their economies; through forest revenues Pacheedaht First Nation has purchased businesses and fee simple land in its territory, buying lands back from private developers.{{Cite web|last=Cox|first=Sarah|date=July 1, 2021|title=Inside the Pacheedaht Nation's stand on Fairy Creek logging blockades|url=https://thenarwhal.ca/pacheedaht-fairy-creek-bc-logging/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706164619/https://thenarwhal.ca/pacheedaht-fairy-creek-bc-logging/|archive-date=July 6, 2021|access-date=July 6, 2021|website=The Narwhal|language=en}} In return for revenue sharing over a three-year term, the agreement requires the Nation not to support or participate in any acts that interfere with provincially authorized forest activities, and requires the Nation to support the provincial government in seeking to resolve actions taken by members that are seen to be inconsistent with the agreement.{{Cite web|last=Chadwick|first=Julie|date=June 11, 2021|title=Q&A: What do the old-growth logging deferrals mean for Fairy Creek?|url=https://thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/old-growth-logging-deferrals-fairy-creek|access-date=June 11, 2021|website=The Discourse.|language=en-US}}

However, as the direct descendant from the family line claimed as the hereditary decision-makers or speakers for the territory, Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones supported protest activity, speaking for careful stewardship of the Fairy Creek Watershed, and against the destruction of remaining sacred places for short term gain.{{Cite web|title=A Letter From Elder Bill Jones – Last Stand for Forests|url=https://laststandforforests.com/about/letter-from-elder-bill-jones/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210530032323/https://laststandforforests.com/about/letter-from-elder-bill-jones/|archive-date=May 30, 2021|access-date=May 29, 2021|language=en-US}} Leaders from Tsleil-Waututh Nation travelled to Fairy Creek in Pacheedaht territory on May 29 to show their support.{{Cite web|last=Gilpin|first=Emilee|date=June 3, 2021|title=Indigenous Solidarity at Fairy Creek|url=https://indiginews.com/vancouver-island/members-of-tsleil-waututh-nation-show-support-at-fairy-creek|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603161156/https://indiginews.com/vancouver-island/members-of-tsleil-waututh-nation-show-support-at-fairy-creek|archive-date=June 3, 2021|access-date=June 10, 2021|website=IndigiNews|language=en-US}}

On June 4, 2021, Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations signed the Hišuk ma c̕awak Declaration to take back their power over their ḥahahuułi (traditional territories),{{Cite web|last=Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations|date=June 4, 2021|title=Hišuk ma c̕awak Declaration|url=https://huuayaht.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/declaration-FINAL-signedpdf.pdf}} and on the following day gave formal notice to the province of BC to defer old-growth logging for two years in the Fairy Creek and the Central Walbran areas while the Nations prepare their stewardship plans.{{Cite web|last=Huu-ay-aht First Nations|title=Huu-ay-aht, Pacheedaht, Ditidaht First Nations take back decision-making responsibilities over ḥahahuułi|url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/huu-ay-aht-pacheedaht-ditidaht-first-nations-take-back-decision-making-responsibilities-over-hahahuuli-886512860.html|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=www.newswire.ca|language=en}} This request was approved by the BC government five days later on June 9, 2021.{{cite web |title=B.C. agrees to defer old-growth logging for 2 years in Fairy Creek and central Walbran areas |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fairy-creek-bc-defers-old-growth-logging-1.6059914 |website=CBC News}}

Doug White (Kwulasultun), former chief and councillor of Snuneymuxw First Nation, a practicing lawyer and chairman of the BC First Nations Justice Council, situated the Hišuk ma c̕awak Declaration in the broader context of Aboriginal title in BC, in relation to Delgamuukw v. British Columbia, the Tŝilhqot'in decision, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), asserting that the existing forestry regime of tenure and permits is inconsistent with Aboriginal rights, title and implementation of decision-making.

In June 2023, the BC government extended the order to defer logging at Fairy Creek until February 1, 2025.{{cite web |title=B.C. extends deferral of old growth logging in Vancouver Island's Fairy Creek watershed |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/fairy-creek-defer-old-growth-logging-extension-1.6864569 |website=CBC News |access-date=16 January 2024}}

= Ecology and wildlife =

On May 31, 2021, the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development announced that reported sightings of endangered western screech owls in the area had been confirmed.{{cite news |url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/05/31/news/bc-ministry-survey-fairy-creek-area-threatened-owl-nests-after-more |title=B.C. ministry to survey Fairy Creek area for threatened owl nests after more sightings |date=May 31, 2021 |first=Katarina |last=Sabados |website=Nationalobserver.com|access-date=June 23, 2021}} Radar surveys by the BC Wilderness Committee in July 2021 also reported over 240 sightings of endangered marbled murrelets in the Fairy Creek watershed and surrounding areas.{{cite news |url=https://www.wildernesscommittee.org/news/endangered-seabird-found-old-growth-forest-slated-logging-near-fairy-creek |title=Endangered seabird found in old-growth forest slated for logging near Fairy Creek |date=August 5, 2021 |first=Charlotte |last=Dawe |website=Wildernesscommittee.org|access-date=August 26, 2021}}

File:Looper-Creek-Cut-Block.jpg

Several instances of the rare lichen old-growth specklebelly (Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis) have been found on trees within Fairy Creek.{{cite news |url=https://www.focusonvictoria.ca/forests/87/ |title=Artist finds new population of rare imperilled lichen at Fairy Creek |date=August 3, 2021 |first=Maleea |last=Acker |website=Focusonvictoria.ca|access-date=August 26, 2021}} The lichen's presence is due to the nutrient hotspots created by old-growth yellow cedar in the watershed.{{cite web |title=Management Plan for the Oldgrowth Specklebelly Lichen (Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis) in Canada - 2017 |url=https://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=1440C3BA-1&offset=1&toc=show |website=Species at Risk Public Registry |publisher=Environment and Climate Change Canada |access-date=August 27, 2021}}

Blockades and protests

In spite of COVID-19 pandemic conditions, protest activity was sustained through Spring 2021, with social media calls going out for reinforcements as police removed activists from various camps and sites. Arrests and removals were made more difficult by what one visiting journalist described as highly inventive approaches taken by the protesters, who in many cases constructed "dragons" made of pipe and concrete to more effectively chain to equipment or roadbed ("sleeping dragons"), or who cantilevered themselves in high places where it would be difficult and time-consuming to extract them ("flying dragons").{{Cite web|last=Kopecky|first=Arno|date=June 1, 2021|title=Three Days in the Theatre of Fairy Creek|url=https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2021/06/01/Three-Days-Fairy-Creek-Theatre/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601073453/https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2021/06/01/Three-Days-Fairy-Creek-Theatre/|archive-date=June 1, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=The Tyee|language=English}}

On May 22, 2021, a visit to Fairy Creek by Tzeporah Berman, veteran of the Clayoquot protests of the 1990s and international programs director with Stand.Earth, ended in arrest for defying an exclusion zone being enforced by the RCMP.{{Cite web|last=Logan|first=Cloe|date=May 26, 2021|title=Tzeporah Berman on her Fairy Creek arrest and old-growth|url=https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/05/26/news/tzeporah-berman-her-fairy-creek-arrest-and-old-growth-fight|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531074225/https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/05/26/news/tzeporah-berman-her-fairy-creek-arrest-and-old-growth-fight|archive-date=May 31, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=Canada's National Observer|language=en}} Days later, scores of senior citizens joined protesters at Fairy Creek at the invitation of Pacheedaht Elder Bill Jones, passing unchallenged through the RCMP blockade.{{Cite web|last=Dickson|first=Louise|title=Scores of Victoria seniors join old-growth logging protest at Fairy Creek|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/scores-of-victoria-seniors-join-old-growth-logging-protest-at-fairy-creek-1.24322720|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527000455/https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/scores-of-victoria-seniors-join-old-growth-logging-protest-at-fairy-creek-1.24322720|archive-date=May 27, 2021|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=Times Colonist|date=May 25, 2021 }} Protests were also held in locations in Greater Victoria, including at the constituency office of British Columbia Premier John Horgan,{{Cite web|last=@Dancebennink|title="Horgan is blowing it for the rest of us," and "Recall Horgan" was heard outside his constituency office today, as several hundred people gathered to protest his silence on old growth logging. He's losing support in his own riding. ⁦@jjhorgan @bcndp #oldgrowth #bcpoli|url=https://twitter.com/dancebennink/status/1398429632483905539|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=Twitter|language=en}} whose electoral riding area includes disputed old-growth forest and overlaps Pacheedaht territory.

By late August 2021, measured in terms of arrests, the Fairy Creek protests approached Canada's civil disobedience record, a threshold set in 1993 when 856 people were arrested during the "war in the woods" over old-growth logging in Clayoquot Sound, and one of the biggest acts of civil disobedience in Canadian history.{{Cite web|last=Cox|first=Sarah|date=August 25, 2021|title=Fairy Creek is set to become the largest act of civil disobedience in Canada's history|url=https://thenarwhal.ca/fairy-creek-blockades-august-arrests/|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=The Narwhal|language=en}}

On September 29, the Supreme Court of British Columbia rejected the extension of the injunction against the protesters requested by the logging company.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-29|title=Canada: win for anti-logging protesters as judge denies firm's injunction bid|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/29/canada-logging-protests-vancouver-island-judge|access-date=2021-09-29|website=the Guardian|language=en}}

Media and protest coverage

On May 19, the RCMP arrested a journalist attempting to cover the protests, alleging the journalist has been obstructing the work of the logging company. However, videos posted on social media showed the journalist in question asking police what he was obstructing without answer just prior to the arrest.{{cite news |url=https://www.cheknews.ca/journalist-arrested-at-fairy-creek-police-say-797274/ |title=Journalist arrested after refusing to leave Fairy Creek checkpoint |date=May 19, 2021 |first=Nicholas |last=Pescod |publisher=CHEK Media |website=Cheknews.ca|access-date=June 23, 2021}}

In May the Rainforest Flying Squad, an environmentalist group focused on the Fairy Creek Blockade,{{Cite web|title=Last Stand for Forests – Dedicated to Non-Violent Direct Action to Protect the Last Ancient Temperate Rainforests|url=https://laststandforforests.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323204457/https://laststandforforests.com/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 23, 2021|access-date=2022-02-16|website=laststandforforests.com}} alleged that Instagram deleted their account after they posted a video showing aggressive RCMP arrests of protesters. The group's account was restored the next day, with a Facebook spokesperson stating that it had been deleted in error.{{cite web|url=https://pressprogress.ca/environmental-group-says-instagram-deleted-its-account-after-posting-a-video-of-police-violence-at-fairy-creek/|title=Environmental Group Says Instagram Deleted Its Account After Posting a Video of Police Violence at Fairy Creek|publisher=Press Progress|date=May 27, 2021|accessdate=July 22, 2021}}

On May 26, the Canadian Association of Journalists, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, The Narwhal, along with several other media outlets, announced that they would be suing the RCMP over restrictions the police were imposing on media access to the protests.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/journalists-court-rcmp-fairy-creek-1.6041411 |title=Journalists' association challenging RCMP in court over media restrictions at Fairy Creek logging blockade |date=May 26, 2021 |publisher=CBC News British Columbia|access-date=June 23, 2021}}{{cite news |url=https://globalnews.ca/video/7900770/rcmp-prohibit-news-media-from-fairy-creek-exclusion-zone/ |title=RCMP prohibit news media from Fairy Creek exclusion zone |publisher=Global News|date=May 27, 2021 |access-date=June 23, 2021}} On July 20, 2021, the court action, initiated by a coalition of press groups including the Canadian Association of Journalists, Ricochet Media, Capital Daily Victoria, The Narwhal, Canada's National Observer, APTN News, The Discourse, Indiginews and Canadian Journalists for Free Expression, received a favourable decision in the British Columbia Supreme Court. The media groups' application was granted to add a clause to the injunction order granted to logging company Teal Jones in April, instructing the RCMP not to interfere with media access absent a bona fide operational reason for doing so.{{Cite web|last=Canadian Association of Journalists|date=July 20, 2021|title=CAJ and press freedom coalition win court challenge against RCMP media restrictions at Fairy Creek|url=https://caj.ca/blog/CAJ_and_press_freedom_coalition_win_court_challenge_against_RCMP_media_restrictions_at_Fairy_Creek|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720221220/https://caj.ca/blog/CAJ_and_press_freedom_coalition_win_court_challenge_against_RCMP_media_restrictions_at_Fairy_Creek|archive-date=July 20, 2021|access-date=July 21, 2021|website=caj.ca}}{{Cite web|last=Thomson|first=Jimmy|date=July 20, 2021|title=BC judge rules media has a right to access the Fairy Creek blockades|url=https://capnews.ca/news/bc-judge-media-access-fairy-creek-blockades|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720175210/https://www.capitaldaily.ca/news/bc-judge-media-access-fairy-creek-blockades|archive-date=July 20, 2021|access-date=July 21, 2021|website=Capital Daily}}{{Cite web|last=De Souza|first=Mike|date=July 19, 2021|title=4 things we learned from the court case challenging the RCMP's treatment of journalists at Fairy Creek logging blockades|url=https://thenarwhal.ca/fairy-creek-rcmp-media-court-takeaways/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720004028/https://thenarwhal.ca/fairy-creek-rcmp-media-court-takeaways/|archive-date=July 20, 2021|access-date=July 21, 2021|website=The Narwhal|language=en}}

Arrests and policing

thumb

On May 28, 2021, the RCMP arrested every protester at the Waterfall Blockade, except for one, stating that they had been unable to arrest that protester safely. The next day, several hundred protesters marched on the site, re-establishing the blockade.{{cite web|url=https://www.surreynowleader.com/news/rcmp-arrest-all-but-one-at-fairy-creek-blockade-protesters-take-it-back-next-day/|title=RCMP arrest all but one at Fairy Creek blockade, protesters take it back next day|first=Zoe|last=Ducklow|publisher=Surrey Now-Leader|date=May 31, 2021|accessdate=July 22, 2021}} On August 9, 2021, the one year anniversary of the blockade, the RCMP raided Fairy Creek headquarters for the first time. Officers notified protesters they had 24 hours to evacuate the area, however witnesses reported the RCMP began enforcement before the injunction period ended. Over 20 protesters were arrested and the nearby Heli Camp was disbanded soon after.{{cite web |last1=Yunker |first1=Zoe |title=Police Raid the Hub for Fairy Creek Blockaders |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/08/10/Police-Raid-Fairy-Creek-Blockader-Hub/ |website=thetyee.ca |publisher=The Tyee |access-date=August 29, 2021}} As of February 11, 2022, over 1,000 protesters had been arrested.{{cite web |title=Dozens of demonstrators arrested at Fairy Creek |url=https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/09/10/fairy-creek-mass-arrest/ |website=citynews1130.com |date=September 10, 2021 |publisher=Rogers Media |access-date=26 September 2021}}

In addition to the July 2021 court action against the RCMP initiated by media outlets, Rainforest Flying Squad reported individual journalists and protesters had submitted over a dozen complaints against the RCMP by August 2021. Complaints included excessive force, confiscation of food and water, and unlawful apprehension of personal possessions, vehicles, and items providing media access, including a satellite dish.{{cite web |last1=Yunker |first1=Zoe |title=A Judge Rebuked Illegal RCMP Tactics at Fairy Creek. They Continue |url=https://thetyee.ca/News/2021/08/16/Judge-Rebuked-Illegal-RCMP-Tactics/ |website=thetyee.ca |publisher=The Tyee |access-date=August 29, 2021}} The RCMP came under further criticism when a number of its officers were seen wearing thin blue line patches while on duty at the site, despite official RCMP guidelines forbidding the symbol.{{cite web|url=https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/mobile/mounties-criticized-for-wearing-thin-blue-line-patches-at-b-c-old-growth-logging-protests-1.5457025|title=Mounties criticized for wearing 'thin blue line' patches at B.C. old-growth logging protests|first=Todd|last=Coyne|publisher=CTV News|date=June 5, 2021|accessdate=July 22, 2021}}{{Cite web|last=@chrisalecanada|date=August 24, 2021|title=That thin blue line patch... 😬😬|url=https://twitter.com/chrisalecanada/status/1429683410541465604|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=Twitter|language=en}}

Public awareness and engagement

Social media campaigns and online fundraising campaigns mobilized public opinion and resources related to blockades and protests at Fairy Creek and in the forests of South Vancouver Island{{Cite web|title=Fundraiser for Fairy Creek 'land defenders' more than doubles goal|url=https://www.squamishchief.com/bc-news/fundraiser-for-fairy-creek-land-defenders-more-than-doubles-goal-3822739|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603230955/https://www.squamishchief.com/bc-news/fundraiser-for-fairy-creek-land-defenders-more-than-doubles-goal-3822739|archive-date=June 3, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=Squamish Chief|date=May 30, 2021 |language=en}} at a time in the COVID-19 pandemic when travel in British Columbia was largely restricted to essential travel only, within local health authorities.{{Cite web|publisher=British Columbia Ministry of Citizens' Services|title=Travel and COVID-19|url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601114322/https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current|archive-date=June 1, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=www2.gov.bc.ca}}

In spring 2021, actor and photographer Cole Sprouse supported protesters by visiting and sharing a photo essay documenting Fairy Creek old-growth and protest activity.{{Cite web|date=April 8, 2021|title=Cole Sprouse photographs a forest under threat in British Columbia|url=https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/g5gxxb/cole-sprouse-photographs-the-fairy-creek-forest-protest-in-british-columbia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603231025/https://i-d.vice.com/en_uk/article/g5gxxb/cole-sprouse-photographs-the-fairy-creek-forest-protest-in-british-columbia|archive-date=June 3, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=i-D|language=en}} Celebrity support for protesters was also offered by actor Mark Ruffalo{{Cite web|title=Mark Ruffalo calling on people to help save BC's old growth forests {{!}} News|url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/mark-ruffalo-bc-old-growth-forests|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604183239if_/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/mark-ruffalo-bc-old-growth-forests|archive-date=June 4, 2021|access-date=June 4, 2021|website=dailyhive.com|language=en}} and former wrestler Hulk Hogan, and musicians Bruce Cockburn and Midnight Oil, who gave protest organizers permission to use their songs on social media.{{Cite web|last=Kloster|first=Darron|title=Fairy Creek demonstrators blocking access wait for police, Teal-Jones ready to log|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/fairy-creek-demonstrators-blocking-access-wait-for-police-teal-jones-ready-to-log-1.24305163|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603231404/https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/fairy-creek-demonstrators-blocking-access-wait-for-police-teal-jones-ready-to-log-1.24305163|archive-date=June 3, 2021|access-date=June 3, 2021|website=Times Colonist|date=April 9, 2021 }} In June 2021Vogue magazine also carried a photo essay featuring land defenders at Fairy Creek.{{Cite web|last1=Lavoie|first1=Judith|last2=Forrest|first2=Annie|date=June 22, 2021|title=Inside the Fight for Old-Growth Forests at British Columbia's Fairy Creek|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/inside-the-fight-for-old-growth-forests-at-fairy-creek-british-columbia|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705220917/https://www.vogue.com/article/inside-the-fight-for-old-growth-forests-at-fairy-creek-british-columbia|archive-date=July 5, 2021|access-date=July 6, 2021|website=Vogue|language=en-US}}

On May 24, 2021, poet, writer, and publisher Gary Geddes crossed the police line at Waterfall Camp to be arrested and raise awareness of the protests.{{Citation|title=Humans of Fairy Creek ARRESTED Canadian Literary Icon Gary Geddes| date=June 5, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lCiuYtP2TU|language=en|access-date=June 6, 2021}}

On July 1, 2021, PBS Digital Studios added a video called Terra explaining unique aspects of the temperate rainforest in Fairy Creek, including its mycorrhizal network and canopy soils which are still not fully understood. The call for conservation, narrated by Joe Hanson (host of It's Okay To Be Smart), was uploaded to the PBS website and YouTube channel as part of the Overview series.{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/video/inside-the-fight-to-save-an-ancient-forest-au9aaw/ |title=Inside the Fight to Save an Ancient Forest |publication-date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=July 2, 2021 |publisher=PBS.org }}

Disappearance of protesters

In 2021, two Fairy Creek protesters went missing while participating in the blockade.

On October 21, 2021, Gerald 'Smiley' Kearney was reported missing. He was last seen attempting to hike from Ridge Camp to Heli Camp, across the Fairy Creek watershed. To date, his body has never been found.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-26 |title='Lots of people are worried about him': Missing man last seen hiking between Fairy Creek camps |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/lots-of-people-are-worried-about-him-missing-man-last-seen-hiking-between-fairy-creek-camps-4693906 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Times Colonist |language=en}}

On December 11, 2021, a protester named Kevin 'Bear' Henry was declared missing. They had last been in contact with their family on November 27. Henry, who uses they/them pronouns, later told reporters that their van had become stuck in a remote, wooded area. They managed to survive the winter by sheltering inside of a car and surviving "on beans and snow."{{Cite web |date=2022-02-09 |title=Missing person Kevin 'Bear' Henry found after more than 2 months in Vancouver Island bush |url=https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/missing-person-kevin-bear-henry-found-after-more-than-2-months-in-vancouver-island-bush-1.5775319 |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Vancouver Island |language=en}} They were discovered on February 9, 2022, by a group of loggers and evacuated to safety.