Two pipelines stalled in B.C. as RCMP raids resume in Wet’suwet’en territory

 

Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs ‘outraged’ as paramilitary operation leads to arrest of land defenders and journalists

Two major pipeline projects in B.C. have stalled, one due an exercise of Indigenous self-determination and the other an unprecedented climate disaster.

The Coastal GasLink pipeline project, designed to transport natural gas across northern B.C., has seen stiff opposition in Wet’suwet’en territory. Indigenous leaders recently acted on an eviction notice issued to the company by the hereditary chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, and have attempted to evict pipeline workers from their territory. In response, heavily armed RCMP tactical units have returned to the area for the first time since a series of raids in early 2020.

A total of 14 individuals were arrested on November 18 for breaching an injunction issued against protests that interfere with the pipeline’s construction. Fifteen more arrests were made the following day. Late Friday night The Narwhal confirmed that photojournalist Amber Bracken, who was on assignment for the publication in Wet’suwet’en territory, was among those arrested by the RCMP. Freelance journalist and documentary filmmaker Michael Toledano was also arrested.

Meanwhile, massive flooding in southern B.C. has shut down the Trans Mountain pipeline and put a stop to construction efforts to expand the pipeline in several areas since Nov 14 — the same day the Wet’suwet’en eviction notice was reissued to Coastal GasLink.  (more...)

Two pipelines stalled in B.C. as RCMP raids resume in Wet’suwet’en territory

Train tracks have been shut down in Toronto for several hours now. All have been invited to join.#ShutDownCanada #WetsuwetenStrong pic.twitter.com/c1bGqHAR7T

— How-Sen (@HowSenChong) November 21, 2021