Canada's war in the woods

This episode of Witness History recounts the 1993 'War in the Woods' — one of Canada's largest environmental civil disobedience movements. Centered on the struggle to protect Clackwood Sound, a pristine ancient rainforest on Vancouver Island, the protest was sparked when 23-year-old Zipporah Berman, after being inspired by a geography lecture on Canada’s rainforests, returned to British Columbia to oppose clear-cut logging. She and a small group of activists established a blockade camp, using an anonymous fax to announce their protest, which quickly drew thousands to the site. Over three months, more than a thousand people were arrested in daily human blockades, with Berman herself facing 857 charges and six years in prison. Her case drew national attention, leading to high-profile legal representation and eventual dismissal of charges. Though logging continued, the movement catalyzed lasting change: First Nations gained greater land rights, and protected status was granted to parts of the rainforest. The episode also reflects on personal legacies, including Berman’s marriage to a fellow protester, Chris, in the very woods they once defended. The story stands as a powerful testament to grassroots activism and its long-term impact on environmental policy. The episode captures the emotional and physical intensity of the protests, from the fear of arrest to the euphoria of legal victory, and underscores how individual courage can ripple across generations. It highlights the power of creative organizing, media strategy, and solidarity in the face of institutional resistance. Today, Berman continues her environmental advocacy as chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, carrying forward the spirit of the War in the Woods.