Water activist escapes wrath of courts
By Nelson Daily Staff
Water activist Jessica Ogden escaped the wrath of the court system Thursday in Nelson when Madam Justice Jennifer Duncan tossed out a contempt of court charge on a technicality.
Odgen appeared in court after being arrested June 21 by RCMP for disobeying a court order at a logging operation near Balfour.
However, after the arrest and before Thursday’s court hearing, Cooper Creek Cedar failed file the appropriate documentation in the courts, thus forcing Madam Justice Duncan to toss out the case on a technicality.
Ogden was in court Monday to determine a date when the judge would hear the case.
Ogden, who spent a week in custody after the arrest, was part of a protest camp set up at the entrance to the Balfour Transfer Station, at the base of the Balfour Face Forest Service Road.
Ogden did not comply with a court injunction served by the logging company, Cooper Creek Cedar, ordering protestors at the Balfour site not to prevent, impede or restrict the logging operation.
The camp, within walking distance of Balfour Ferry Terminal, was erected by the protest group to protect the watershed from logging and raise awareness regarding current forestry practices in BC.
Ogden and fellow protestors believe that now is the time to stand up for to protect watersheds and to be the change they wish to see in BC.
In her ruling, Madam Justice Duncan told Ogden the outcome might not be the same should she continue to defy the courts.
There were plenty of signs supporting Water activist Jessica Ogden around the Nelson Courthouse. — The Nelson Daily photo
