By Judy Rebick, May 30, 2008, from Rabble

On Thursday there was a rare victory in the battle for Aboriginal rights in this country. Bob Lovelace and the KI Six were released from prison after serving three and two months respectively of six month sentences for contempt of court.

Seven brave people were willing to give up their freedom to stand up for their people and the land they feel a responsibility to protect. They stood up against a powerful industry who threatened them with massive law suits, a court which acted in the interests of that industry and a duplicitous government who pretended neutrality at the same time as actually supporting the mining companies.

Their integrity and courage is inspiring First Nations across the country to realize they can say no to development that is not in the interests of their communities or their land and helping build the broadest coalition of supporters I have seen in many years. This support influenced the Appeal Court as well.

Chris Reid, the lawyer for both Ardoch and KI, reported after the court case:

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