Day 3: Wet’suwet’en land defenders occupy drill pad site, anticipate fourth RCMP raid

 

...The Tyee reports: “One month after dozens of arrests, supporters of Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs have reoccupied a worksite on the Coastal GasLink pipeline route in the nation’s territory. The group announced Sunday they had returned to occupy Coyote Camp and block access to a strategic pipeline worksite.”

“Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief Na’Moks said today he visited the site on Sunday after Coastal GasLink security had been asked to leave.”

“He added that a tiny home, school bus and wall tents removed from the camp during the arrests had been returned and are now occupied.”

That article also notes: “Na’Moks said there was no Coastal GasLink security or RCMP at the site during his visit… He said no work was underway at the site, although it appeared site preparation had continued since the arrests a month ago.”

There may be 10-12 land defenders at the site now.

The CBC article on this adds: “[Gidimt’en Checkpoint media coordinator Jennifer] Wickham said the people who re-occupied the area Sunday are not the same ones who were arrested in November.”

Those arrested on November 18-19 will be in court on February 14, 2022.

And the Canadian Press reports: “The RCMP say they are investigating allegations that protesters threatened security officials, set off flares and damaged vehicles at a drill site for the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern British Columbia.”

Wickham questions this account and says: “We have heard false testimony from the RCMP before about us.” She also says that the land defenders at Coyote Camp are anticipating another police action “against unarmed Indigenous people.”  (more...)

Day 3: Wet’suwet’en land defenders occupy drill pad site, anticipate fourth RCMP raid

Related:

One Month after Arrests, Wet’suwet’en Return to Block Pipeline

‘Dangerous precedent’: pipelines, land defenders and the colonial policing of Indigenous nationhood

Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief takes fight against Coastal GasLink all the way to the banks

A 'lingering evil': From residential schools to murdered women

Toronto activists today in solidarity with @Gidimten land defenders & #WetsuwetenStrong called on all funders of the #CoastalGasLink pipeline to divest. @RBC is the largest bankroller of fossil fuels in Canada. #divestcgl pic.twitter.com/sb5km4HwCj

— Martin Reis (@BikeLaneDiary) December 22, 2021