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loggers charged

Loggers charged in Elaho assaults After a six-month investigation, Squamish RCMP have formally charged three men in connection with the Sept. 15 assault on a protest camp in the Upper Elaho Valley.

Loggers charged in Elaho assaults After a six-month investigation, Squamish RCMP have formally charged three men in connection with the Sept. 15 assault on a protest camp in the Upper Elaho Valley. Protesters allege that a group of approximately 100 masked loggers invaded the camp, assaulting protesters, smashing cameras and recording devices, and damaging other personal property. Donald Wayne Kulak, age 53, of Squamish is charged with one count of assault and one count of mischief to property. He has also been named as a co-defendant in a class action suit against Interfor and Interfor employees that was launched by three of the more seriously injured protestors. Richard James, age 44, of Squamish is charged with one count of assault, one count of mischief and one count of uttering a threat. Alexander Stephen McLeod, age 22, of Squamish is charged with one count of assault and one count of mischief. Crown counsel is still reviewing the police report to determine if further charges are to be laid in the incident. "We're happy to see the RCMP lay charges against some of the individuals involved in the assault, it was obviously the result of a great deal of work and effort on their part," says Joy Foy, director of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. "But when you consider the number of people who were involved, and the obvious organization that went into the attack, we would like to see more charges laid against the attackers and the organizers." The accused will be making a first appearance on Feb. 29 in the Provincial Court in Squamish.