Canadian First Nation anti-fracking protest: Arrests, pepper-spray, snipers, torched cars
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by Paul Kemp
Published time: October 18, 2013
Catagory:Politics without Principles - Industry without Morals - Science without Ideals - Police State
Hashtags: #Elsipogtog - #IdleNoMore - #fracking - #GlobalFrackDown - #FrackProtest
An anti-fracking protest descended into violence when an estimated 100 police officers sought to control hundreds more Canadian protesters.
Tension spilled over Thursday when the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) moved in to take down barriers erected by members of the Elsipogtog First Nation tribe in New Brunswick, Canada. Activists and local aboriginals have held demonstrations for a week to protest shale gas exploration and fracking in the region. They have been seeking consultation with the government without success for three years . The method of gas extraction involves drilling shallow, low-pressure fractures into the earth, which adds thousands of liters of chemicals to groundwater and emits foul odors from the ground.
At least 40 people were arrested Thursday for firearms violations, threats, intimidation, mischief, and violating a court-order injunction, the RCMP said. First Nation Chief Aaron Sock was among those taken into custody.
Chief Sock issued an eviction notice to SWN Resources Canada two weeks ago, warning the oil and gas company to leave native land. SWN seeks to begin seismic testing before it begins fracking for shale gas.
First Nation, mobilized in the belief that the energy exploration constitutes an invasion of tribal land, started blocking Highway 11 between Rexton and Sainte-Anne-de-Kent. That action inspired an October 3 court injunction ordering protesters to stay off the road.
The simmering fury came to a head Thursday morning when the RCMP moved on the highway to force demonstrators away. What exactly followed remains unclear. Native leaders maintain that the police provoked them by drawing their weapons, while the RCMP asserted that they had no choice but to engage.
Susan Levi-Peters, a former chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation, said that the conflict quickly escalated after Chief Sock was apprehended. Pictures of Sock in handcuffs were posted frequently on Twitter throughout the day, inspiring messages of solidarity for the tribe.
Others said the chaos began when shots were fired, either by the police or an activist.
“It is really very volatile,” Levi-Peters said. “It’s a head-to-head between the people and the RCMP right now and the warriors are in the middle surrounded by the RCMP and then the RCMP are surrounded by the people.”
Arrests made on Thursday were for various offences, including firearms infractions, uttering threats, intimidation, mischief, and refusing to abide by the court injunction. The police said at least one shot was fired, but not by them, and that the protesters were lobbing Molotov cocktails.
Rexton, N.B., near Elsipogtog, is just one of many places across Canada where indigenous people are demanding a say in resource exploration, extraction and transportation. Earlier this week, for instance, members of three British Columbia First Nations staged a protest against Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project.
Other First Nations erected roadblocks Thursday in support of the Elsipogtogs’ fight, and rallies were organized for Ottawa, Halifax, Vancouver and other cities under the native protest banner of Idle No More.
Shawn Atleo, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, wrote to Mr. Sock saying heavy-handed actions by the RCMP and the province are unacceptable.
“Today’s actions and numerous arrests, including members of the Chief and Council, are a direct affront to your efforts at reaching a diplomatic solution,” Mr. Atleo wrote. “Please know that we – and First Nations across the country – stand proudly in solidarity with you and your community.”
Mr. Alward met recently with the Mi’’kmaq at Elsipogtog and agreed to set up a working group in an effort to resolve the tense situation.
Native leaders say it was the police who sparked the confrontation. They say police arrived with guns drawn and targeted elders with pepper spray. Ms. Levi-Peters said the police cars were set on fire after natives learned about the arrests.
“It’s Oka all over again and it’s sad because we said all we need is public consultation,” she said, referring to a 1990 dispute between Mohawks and the government at Oka, Que., that turned deadly. “It is really very volatile.”
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THE PEOPLE OF CANADA WOULD DO WELL TO INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT THE INDUSTRIAL PRACTISE OF FRACKING. Do not remain idle or this industry without morals and science without ideals WILL be visiting a neighbourhood near you!!! (See Articles below and bookmark this page for updates)
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