In a stern ruling, Judge Laura Bakan imposed a suspended sentence on a 30-year-old man who earlier this year took part in repeated Save Old Growth protests. Bakan said that Ian Wiltow Schortinghuis was the type of “unpretentious” person that organizers persuade themselves to arrest instead of those “pulling the strings”. “He is a person whose personal characteristics are easily preyed upon,” Bakan said. “If they say, ‘We’re going to arrest so many people,’ that’s like using people as cannon fodder. It’s generally not the generals who are on the front lines.”

“Complete Mischaracterization”

Bakan sentenced Schortinghuis in Richmond District Court in late June after he pleaded guilty to three counts of mischief and two counts of breaching an undertaking. The decision was recently published online. Save Old Growth is a group dedicated to ending the logging of old growth in British Columbia. A spokesman dismissed Bakan’s comments as “speculation” based on defense statements aimed at getting the best outcome for the accused. Save Old Growth protesters blocked the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge in April, leading to arrests. The group says a judge who accused the group of “grooming” people has discredited the organization. (Save old development/submitted) “I think the judge made a total mischaracterization,” said Ben Holt, who serves as the central coordinator. “You can’t help but have hurt feelings as a result of this, but what we’ve talked about internally is that defense attorneys have to do what’s in the best interest of their clients.” Schortinghuis’ first arrest came on April 4, after he and others sat on the deck of the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge for 30 minutes, blocking southbound vehicles and holding signs. He was released after signing an undertaking not to block traffic again. Despite that promise, Schortinghuis was one of five people who set up bollards, held Save Old Growth signs and stopped traffic in both directions on a major ramp to the Trans-Canada Highway a few days later. He was released on another venture, which he breached in early June by standing on top of a ladder placed at the entrance to the Massey Tunnel. Schortinghuis was driven away after police climbed into a dump truck to take him down. He was forced to remain in pre-trial detention for 17 days.

“Sacrificing lambs for their purposes”

Schortinguis has a high school education and no prior criminal record. According to the decision, he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and mental health problems. He has been accepted into an auto mechanic training course starting this fall. “He seems to be the type of person these groups lure and basically use as sacrificial lambs for their purposes,” Bakan wrote. “His mother states that, in her view, this makes him more vulnerable to being somewhat ‘dragged’ into these types of activities. These groups are sophisticated, well-organized and well-funded.” The judge said it was “just a matter of time” before illegal roadblocks on busy Lower Mainland roads lead to death or injury due to motorists’ frayed nerves. (CBC) Bakan targeted her comments at both Save Old Growth and Extinction Rebellion, which has also gathered protests in the Lower Mainland. “[Schortinghuis] he explained that he felt down because of the pandemic and suddenly felt a sense of purpose and belonging that he had been missing,” Bakan said. “I don’t want to do this in a disparaging way, but basically, these organizations are grooming people like Mr. Schortinghuis.” Holt, who also faces his own misdemeanor charges related to the Save Old Growth protests, said all members of the group were willing to be arrested for their beliefs. He insisted that the Schortinghuis was not manipulated.
“He’s a pretty smart person. He’s smart, he’s concerned, and this is something he did completely on his own,” Holt said.

“It’s only a matter of time, unfortunately”

In her sentencing, Bakan relied on a body of rulings by other judges that weighed the consequences of subversive actions by climate change protesters against recognizing their legal right to dissent. He agreed that “there must be accountability within the criminal justice system” when civil disobedience “harms or adversely affects other citizens and their right to lawful and peaceful movement.” “It’s only a matter of time, unfortunately, before someone is injured or killed during one of these illegal blockades,” Bakan said. The judge said the blockades were traumatic for people with medical appointments and children and the public already driving at the border due to the pandemic. He also noted that “the blockade caused more coal fuel to be sent into the atmosphere as cars idled or were diverted and had to take longer routes.” Save Old Growth announced an end to traffic disruptions earlier this summer, but Holt said the group expected to resume its blockades in the coming months. “Yes, people are inconvenienced by traffic stoppages. Traffic stops all the time, and it’s always inconvenient. I don’t think it’s more or less inconvenient when we do it,” Holt said. “What we weigh against this suffering is a very looming and very real threat of climate collapse, of an unlivable planet.” Schortinghuis must complete two years of probation as part of his sentence. If he complies with the conditions, he will have no criminal record.