For immediate Release - Thursday, January 4, 2001

Squamish, B.C. -- Today in B.C. Provincial Court Justice Ellen Burdett sentenced five International Forest Products (Interfor) employees and contractors for their roles in the mob attack by approximately 70 loggers who viciously attacked and terrorized peaceful protestors and WCWC trail boss James Jamieson on September 15, 1999 in the Elaho Valley.

Richard James pled guilty and was today convicted of criminal assault while Donald Whayne Kulak, Alexander Stephen Macleod, Thomas Lloyd, and Leslie Zohner were convicted of criminal mischief which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a $2,000 fine under the Criminal Code.

Justice Burdett noted in her sentencing that "at the very least, Interfor gave tacit corporate approval" to the violence. Justice Burdett also stated that the attacks were pre-meditated and directly involved at least ten to fifteen of the seventy men present that day. While 8 citizens were attacked and three were hospitalized, only one man, Richard James, was convicted for the assaults.

Despite these strong words from Justice Burdett regarding the vigilante nature of the crimes and the damage that was caused to individuals and the community as a result of the attacks, none of the men were sentenced to serve any time in prison. Instead, they were given suspended sentences with one year probation. The men were also required to take anger management classes, send letters of apology to the victims, undertake 40 hours of community service and four men were required to pay $1,250 each in restitution. James, the only man sentenced for criminal assault, is not required to pay restitution to the victims.

"We are pleased that the B.C. Provincial Court recognizes that these men from Interfor are guilty of anti-environmental criminal violence. The Wilderness Committee condemns violence by anyone. The only people charged, convicted, and sentenced for criminally violent activities of assault and property destruction in the Elaho Valley are these men from Interfor," noted Ken Wu, WCWC Forest Campaigner.

In contrast to today's proceedings, environmental activist Betty Krawczyk received a one year prison term on September 15, 2000, the one year anniversary of the mob attack, for peacefully violating a court injunction granted by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Glen Parrett-- an injunction that was subsequently struck down by the another judge. Krawczyk will be appealing her sentence in the B.C. Court of Appeal on January 9, 2000 at 2:00 pm.

"The courts have sent a strong message today that violent criminal assaults against environmentalists will not be looked at as serious crimes while those who peacefully protest the destruction of our ancient forest heritage should expect extremely lengthy jail sentences," said Ken Wu, WCWC Forest Campaigner.

The Elaho Valley lies in the 500,000 hectare Stoltmann Wilderness west of Whistler, B.C.. It is being proposed by the Western Canada Wilderness Committee as a national park reserve, the only one in B.C.'s coast mountains. It is home to Canada's oldest Douglas fir trees, the 1,300 year old Millenium Grove, and is the farthest south grizzlies still roam on the Pacific Coast of North America.

"More than anything, the NDP must show leadership and should step in to protect the magnificent ancient forests of the Elaho Valley. Former Premier Glen Clark called environmentalists the "Enemies of B.C.". What does current Premier Dosanjh have to say about these men from Interfor convicted of property destruction and violent assaults against B.C. citizens and a company recognized that gave tacit corporate approval to the violence? Who are the real enemies of B.C.?" asked Wu.

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