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If
you can make it to Vancouver on Thursday, May 22nd,
there will be a rally in front of the courthouse on Smithe Street
at 9:30 AM and another hearing at 10 AM.
2 GRANNYS &
THE "CROWN"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
by Jen Bradley
Queen Victoria Day 2003
at Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women
It's just too typical of the colonies that we keep on and on remembering
this ancient conquering queen, as though she is something of any importance
to modern life in Canada. In fact what I've heard is that she was dominated
by others. Let's see, what are the odds that those others were men?
This colonial identity just doesn't seem to want to die. I find it lurking
everywhere. For example, at our court appearance in Victoria there it
was manifested in some short-haired, suited, white, privileged female
embodiment speaking on behalf of the "crown." And what is the
"crown" wondering, lo and behold, is there enough evidence to
prosecute?
The "crown" wonders, as it is asked (in Canada, the court speaks
to the "crown" but check out who answers) to elevate civil contempt
to criminal contempt. According to the answers this requires lots of evidence
and several sworn witnesses to boot.
So two grannys, one a great granny, have been illegally arrested for civil
contempt, seemed to be enough evidence for the "crown" in this
case the "supreme crown," to take this action in the first place,
but all of a sudden there is not enough to pursue criminal contempt.
Strange indeed!
What on earth is the "crown" thinking, you ask.
Well that's the 64 million dollar question. The "crown's" thinking
if exposed in the courts as these two grannys hope it will be, could help
to fast track the country away from this colonial identity towards a new
and inspiring one: Equality - the kind that's spoken of in the charter.
(Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)
The basic principle of colonisation is exceptionally simple and experientially
brutal. One group, the one that seems to have all the power, decides that
its needs are much more important and respectable than another's. Make
that judgement call and it's yippee, rape and plunder the lands all the
way to the bank.
Now make a bunch of laws subordinate to the aforementioned "crown"
and what do you know the conquering group is adequately legitimised.
Or is it?
Betty Krawczyk, of 74 years, falsely arrested in the Walbran Valley on
May 8, 2003 under a "crown" approved court order instead of
under the criminal code, makes the case against the so-called "Working
Forest," the corporations it serves and the Strategic Litigation
AGAINST Public Participation or S.L.A.P.P. suit.
This injunction business Betty knows well, having spent up to 18 months
in prison before its sting. Many an environmentalist has been stopped
by its orders sanctioned by, you guessed it, the "crown."
Jen Bradley, of 48 years, the other granny, also falsely arrested on May
8, 2003 is appalled that the "crown" can ignore, with impunity
so far, its own findings. For example, that it has a legal and enforceable
duty to consult with First Nations before cutting one single tree on a
Tree Farm Licence and a fiduciary duty to act "in utmost good faith"
where territorial lands are concerned not to mention the ever-obvious
moral duty. (Haida Nation v. B.C. and Weyerhaeuser)
But alas I guess this "crown" knows nothing but colonisation,
that is: one groups needs being more important than another's. So now
the people of British Columbia get to experience the brutality of colonisation
by Gordon Campbell, Weyerhaeuser, TimberWest and all those on board the
"Working Forest" train.
One can only hope that the brutal experience of the First Nations and
the colonisation experience of the people of BC, as they face the privatisation
of their "crown" lands, will bring these two groups together
to stop clear-cut logging, destruction of the watersheds and the abuses
of the "crown" in the forests, forever.
by Jen Bradley
Stay tuned to the saga of two grannys vs.
the "crown."
Betty and Jen invite all supporters to attend the next hearing at 10 AM
Thursday the 22nd of May, 2003. Rally in front of the court at 9:30 AM.
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