Clayoquot Sound is known world wide for its environmental activism. In Canada, it is a hotspot for intense activism and direct action blockading. The Tla-o-qui-aht first nations people, of the 5,000 year old village of Opitsaht on Meares Island, were the first in Canada to establish a blockade in 1980. Direct action blockading was the only way to keep the chainsaws out of the 22,000 acres of pristine ancient growth rainforest on Meares Island. The Tla-o-qui-aht, along with a core group of concerned citizens of the area (who formed a grassroots environmental group known as the Friends of Clayoquot Sound) initiated the era of direct action through blockading that is still very much alive and well today. The largest civil disobedience act in Canadian history took place in Clayoquot Sound in 1993. Nearly 900 people were arrested for participating in a massive blockade (a peace camp) and refusing to obey court orders to disband and remove themselves from the effort. Unfortunately, the Clayoquot ancient growth rainforest is still under major threat today. Plans are in the works to remove much of the last stands of pristine ancient growth. To learn more, please visit www.focs.ca