SARAH GALASHAN | Vancouver (CUP}—A law student who was arrested at last year's APEC summit has launched a class-action suit against Prime Minister Jean Chretien, Finance Minister Lloyd Axworthy and former ambassador to Indonesia Gary Smith. The suit, which was announced by University of British Columbia student Craig Jones last Tuesday, alleges the three officials con- spired to limit the constitu- tional rights of protesters during the meeting of 18 Pacific Rim leaders. According to Jones’ state- ment of claim, any other to join the class-action law- suit may do so. “What it allows us to do really is to roll up a whole bunch of dif- ferent actions that otherwise wouldn't be able to proceed on their own,” Jones said. Jones was arrested for refusing to remove a protest sign during the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation con- ference held at the University of British Columbia last November. The RCMP arrested 49 people at the meeting, He says he decided to launch the suit after docu- ments surfaced that suggest Ottawa ordered the RCMP to limit protests at the sum- mit to avoid embarrassment protester names Chretien, others, in class-action sult to Suharto, Indonesian President at the time. Although it may take years before the lawsuit is heard, Jones says it was necessary to pursue it because the RCMP complaints commission, which is investigating security measures at the summit, has no legal jurisdiction. “There's no robust means of redress in this hearing. They can make recommenda- tions to the police commis- sioner and that’s it. What good is that going to do against the PM or Axworthy or any of the rest?” Jones said. Portions of a recently- released e-mail from Robert ~ Vanderloo, executive director interested parties who choose it is currently estimated that over a dozen BC tribes have expressed their intention to press for permits to kill grey whales, orcas and humpbacks since the Makah received their authorization to hunt whales. But the main problem is Norway and apans whaling industries. When the [WC placed a global ban on commercial whaling in 1986, and then created a whale sanctuary in the Antarctic Ocean in 1994, every nation in the world respected these agree- ents — except Norway and Japan. Many feel that by allowing the Makah hunt, the WC has opened a loophole through which hese two nations can justify their whale arvest, and even increase it. Currently these ations are getting away with a minor, but ignificant, whale harvest on the basis of ‘humane killing” and “scientific research.” Last year, at the Monaco meeting of the nternational Whaling Commission, Tadaio akamura, representing the Japanese delega- ion, asked, “What is the difference between ultural necessity for the Makah and cultur- necessity for the Japanese?” I would say bout 20,000 whales. If cultural necessity becomes a justifica- ion for commercial whaling, the slaughter ill be unrelenting. The Makah will be illing the grays for the benefit of the apanese. Whether or not the meat is sold to apan directly, the Japanese whaling industry ill profit enormously, because the Makah unt will be the catalyst for overturning the lobal moratorium on. whaling. If the akah succeed in changing the basis for boriginal whaling to a cultural need as pposed to a subsistence need—as it seems hey have—the Japanese, Norwegians and thers will claim the same right. nrnrcencnnernenecs ereronnnery cacaacaaccaan weeree cca e is one of the most ancient species of whale, whose population has, in the last 120 years, been reduced twice to very low numbers. The gray whale was protected from whaling in 1946 because there were less than 2000 left in the Pacific Ocean. Only two gray whale populations survive; there used to be three. However, whalers managed to kill all of the Atlantic popula- tion of gray whales by the end of the seven- teenth century. The western pacific popula- tion of gray whales is said to have about 250 animals and the eastern pacific popula- tion has about 21,000—23,000 members. These animals have endured massive whaling. assaults that almost succeeded in making them extinct. Even though its population is now up and the grey whale is not considered endan- gered, the past has proven that its status can be tenuous. I know this is a very weak argu- ment, but come on—haven't the grey whales been through enough? They are finally at a point where they can enjoy a healthy popu- lation and what do we (humans) do? Start hunting them again. I just don't get it. Even though endangerment is not cur- rently a primary concern, John Ford, direc- tor of conservation and research at the Vancouver Aquarium, says it is something that still has to be taken into account. Noting that the natives have only been given permission to hunt migratory grey whales and that the migration does not begin until later this year, he said that the natives may end up killing resident grey whales with dis- tinct genetic differences. “So, although the grey whale itself is not in danger, there is definitely a conservation concern that a subspecies may be endan- in the next Other Press: | 6S Of > d of the APEC coordinating office, implicate the Prime Minister's Office in the han- dling of student protesters at the summit. “PMO has expressed con- A cerns about the security perimeter at UBC, not so much from a security point of view, but to avoid embar- rassment to APEC leaders,” the September 1997 e-mail reads. “We have to find a balance that meets both concerns (we able. do not wish student demon- strations and efforts by the government to suppress the freedom of expression to become a major media story),’ the e-mail states. Douglas at } | glance = Will they or won't they? Whether or not instructors will strike is still unresolved. October I and 2 by members of the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) and the College Institute Educators’ Association of BC. CIEA voted 66% in favour of striking if necessary. Local negotiations resumed October 6, but by the Other Press deadline there was no further information avail- When asked how long instructors would be willing to negotiate before going off the job, Hal Gray, negotiator and Print Futures Coordinator, said “I don't have enough information to be able to answer that question at this time.” ...At a glance, it appears to be a large, red brick building, made mainly of concrete... Strike Vote Update province-wide vote was taken gered. I’m not happy about it,” he said. Subsistence and Tradition The arguments that won the Makah the right to hunt whales are subsistence and tradition. Well, they haven't hunted whales in over 70 years and yet they are still alive. Doesnt this in itself rule out the argument that they need to hunt whales to subsist? The Makah’s traditional method of hunting whales involves the use of hand- held harpoons, which usually means a slow and painful death for the whale. In order to make the killing more together again and may be a force in solving some of the problems of discipline with their young people. Today, almost half the Makah people live below the poverty line, unemployment is nearly 50%, and their sub- sistence fish and shellfish resources are dwindling to all-time lows. Ironically, this whale hunt is actually causing a greater division in the community, as seven Makah tribal elders have gone on record as being in opposition to the whaling scheme. They have been called “traitors” by the Makah Tribal Council and have been humane, the Makah have elected to use a cere- monial har- poon only for the initial attack. Once it is lodged in the whale, they will begin shoot- ing the mammal with high- powered rifles. (Please see the above for all comment about Social Studies II.) The Makah have said this hunt will help bring 10% OFF all entrees Faculty & Staff of Douglas College 50-—8th Street, New Westminster 604.524.9788 Students, their com- munity eres eeenrerenoneecerecores ere ccc pea aca GS (really!) The Other Press - October 71998 Page 3