Editor:
We appreciate Michael Price expressing his concern for B.C.’s COVID directives regarding our May 31 Davis Bay protest (“Protest flouts health rules,” Letters, June 11). At the same time, we would like to provide a fuller picture of the event that he, a motorist briefly passing by, might not have known.
Firstly, our first announcements over the PA system were regarding safety issues: to make sure everyone was aware of traffic and to take precautions and we asked everyone to wear a mask and to maintain the six-feet social distancing guidelines by spreading out along both sides of the highway. We also had masks and hand sanitizer available throughout the event. In addition, our Facebook event notice stated the importance of following public health guidelines.
The turnout went beyond our expectations and exceeded numbers normally seen at many local environmental protests, but please be assured we had no intentions of contravening COVID guidelines and feel we did all within our power to host a safe event.
We wanted to make a visual presence at MLA Nicholas Simons’ office to let him know that although most of us cannot go to Ada’itsk/Fairy Creek blockade on Vancouver Island, they have our full support. We collected 100 signatures on a letter asking the NDP government to stand up and protect old growth forests. The letter was delivered last week.
In 20 years of involvement in such protests on the Sunshine Coast, we have never heard so many honks in support from passing motorists. That was truly heartening. Thank you for your feedback.
Shirley Samples (Brkich),
Roberts Creek
