Coastal GasLink (CGL) pipeline opponents are back at the site of a blockade near Houston in northwest B.C., a month after it was cleared by the RCMP on Nov. 19 and following the arrest of 29 people.
In a statement issued on Sunday morning (Dec. 19), the Wet91裸聊视频檚uwet91裸聊视频檈n Gidimt91裸聊视频檈n Checkpoint group, which is at the forefront of the opposition, announced they have once again evicted CGL workers from the key pipeline drill site near Wedzin Kwa (the Morice River).
Last month, On Nov. 14, the group set up a blockade on the Morice Forest Service Road and established a resistance camp known as 91裸聊视频楥oyote Camp91裸聊视频� in an attempt to stop CGL from drilling under the river citing environmental and cultural concerns.
Yesterday the group also announced they have 91裸聊视频渞eoccupied91裸聊视频� the 91裸聊视频淐oyote Camp,91裸聊视频� after it was dismantled by the RCMP in a series of raids conducted between Nov. 17 and 19.
The action on Dec. 19, followed the 24th anniversary of the 1997 Delgamuukw-Gisday91裸聊视频檞a court ruling, which established that Indigenous title has never been extinguished across 58,000 square kilometres of Wet91裸聊视频檚uwet91裸聊视频檈n and Gitxsan lands, the group said.
91裸聊视频淐oastal GasLink does not and will never have the consent of the Wet91裸聊视频檚uwet91裸聊视频檈n hereditary governance system and should expect that Wet91裸聊视频檚uwet91裸聊视频檈n law will prevail on our lands. No amount of state violence against us will make us forget our responsibility to protect the water for all future generations,91裸聊视频� said Sleydo91裸聊视频� (Molly Wickam), spokesperson for the Gidimt91裸聊视频檈n Checkpoint.
Last month, Sleydo91裸聊视频�, a key leader in the pipeline opposition, was among those arrested on site by RCMP for violation of a B.C. Supreme Court injunction obtained by CGL.
She and the others arrested were released on conditions on Nov. 23 and told by the court to not be within 75 metres of any CGL worksites. It is unclear as to whether Sleydo91裸聊视频� is back on site at the Coyote Camp.
CGL claimed a group of approximately 10-12 camouflaged and masked opponents took over the site and threatened the company91裸聊视频檚 security officials with violence.
91裸聊视频淭he security officials subsequently left the site for fear of their safety and RCMP have been notified of these illegal activities,91裸聊视频� said CGL in a Dec. 20 statement, and added that the company is increasingly concerned about the safety of its workers and the public owing to the escalation of the opposition activities.
The RCMP said they are investigating the incident after they were called to the site on Dec. 19 but did not confirm if protesters still remain at Coyote Camp.
In a statement, the police said a group of protesters allegedly threatened Coastal GasLink security officials, damaged trucks and fired flares and bear bangers at security officials.
91裸聊视频淎ny persons found blockading or impeding workers91裸聊视频� access to the area are in breach of the injunction and may be subject to arrest,91裸聊视频� said Cpl. Madonna Saunderson, RCMP spokesperson for North District.
Officers will also continue their roving patrols of the area to ensure everyone91裸聊视频檚 safety and the roads remain unobstructed and accessible, added Saunderson.
