Using an ever-changing set of rules, RCMP in British Columbia arrested 11 opponents of the Coastal GasLink pipeline Saturday, the third day of raids on Wet’suwet’en Nation territory.
RCMP also continued to obstruct journalists on the remote forest road in northern B.C. where the conflict is playing out, drawing international criticism. A spokesperson for one of the nation’s five clans, Molly Wickham of Gidimt’en, said the police broke a promise not to make more arrests until after a meeting with the nation’s hereditary chiefs.
“How many more signs do we need? By watching these, people will understand now is the time.”
That’s Jonathan Mintram. He is the executive producer of a series of video shorts about the climate emergency being released by Extinction Rebellion and Amazon Watch in collaboration with Mobilize Earth. The first is out today.
The 12 videos are public service announcements, but with a difference. A big difference, you might say, considering the first one “stars” Oscar favourite Joaquin Phoenix.
Under cover of darkness early Thursday, the RCMP began raiding Wet’suwet’en land defender camps in northeastern B.C. and arresting opponents of a planned natural gas pipeline.
Locked arm-to-arm in front of the ceremonial entrance of the B.C. Parliament Buildings in downtown Victoria, dozens of Indigenous people and over 200 allies gathered around noon on Feb. 6 to show solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs against the Coastal Gaslink pipeline.
“We are shaming the Canadian government right now,” said Ta’Kaiya Blaney of Tla’amin First Nation to the crowd of supporters.
"We are in absolute outrage and a state of painful anguish as we witness the Wet'suwet'en people having their Title and Rights brutally trampled on and their right to self-determination denied."
Climate action campaigners and Indigenous leaders on Thursday condemned a violent pre-dawn raid by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police at a camp set up by Wet'suwet'en land defenders in British Columbia.
Surveillance helicopters circling overhead. Police officers, some carrying tactical gear, pouring into the surrounding towns. An elder arrested, then released, for trying to go past a police checkpoint.
