Tensions and actions throughout Canada to support the Wet’suwet’en peoples are escalating and spreading. It appears a growing number Canadian citizens are not happy as these actions impact their daily lives.
This powerful video of the press conference by Indigenous Youth who were arrested for a sit-in 3 weeks ago brought me to tears.
These are the youth who blocked access to the British Columbia legislature yesterday and are organizing to shutdown of the government this Friday.
Indigenous Youth For Wetsuweten
#indigenousyouthforwetsuweten
In Canada, police arrested 12 indigenous youth activists early Wednesday morning, ending their day-long sit-in occupation of the offices of the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources in British Columbia. Their protest was the latest among dozens of solidarity actions taken in support of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, which is resisting the $6.6 billion Coastal GasLink fracked gas pipeline. Earlier this month, Wet’suwet’en leaders evicted construction workers from the territory and set up a road blockade that cut off access to a Coastal GasLink worksite. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have since set up a checkpoint nearby, raising fears of a raid. This is First Nations activist Ta’Kaiya Blaney, one of the 12 arrested on Wednesday.
12 Anti-Pipeline Activists Arrested in Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Protest, Democracy Now, January 29, 2020
Ta’Kaiya Blaney: “Because what indigenous people remember and Canada has forgot is that we have a sacred obligation to this land. As human beings, we all have a responsibility to that which gives us life. And as indigenous peoples who have safeguarded and stewarded these territories since time immemorial, it is crucial that our sovereignty be respected for our collective climate future.”
Indigenous Youth in Victoria have declared victory in their effort to shut down the BC legislature on the day of John Horgan’s throne speech! The action was incredibly powerful and is shaking the political establishment!
They are now regrouping and calling for people to join mass organizing meetings Wednesday to shut down the government Friday!
Rail blockades and office occupations continue! The powers that be are shook and our power is only growing! You’re making history and standing on the side of justice!”
Vancouver Press Conference and March today at 10 AM Outside the Supreme Court.
Victoria Mass Meetings to Shut Down the Government Friday Happening Wed at 4:30 and 7 PM
Unist’ot’en Solidarity Brigade
#IndigenousYouthForWet’suwet’en Have put a callout to shut down all government buildings in Victoria Friday Morning! Come to an organizing meeting to plug in!
Feburary 12th at 10 AM Urban Indigenous Sovereigntists Natalie Knight, Herb Varley, and Geneva Stowell will be speaking at a press conference announcing the filing of a challenge to the court injunction against Land Defenders. We will then march to a nearby location so please come down to 800 Smithe (BC Supreme Court) and show your support! Please Share Widely!
Additional types of action to support the Wet’suwet’en peoples are occurring all across Canada. At several places the rail lines are blocked, halting train travel. Interactive map of Canada’s rail system.
Map of Wet’suwet’en support rail blockadges
Nearly 400 protesters in Toronto responded to the Wet’suwet’en call to shut down Canada by blocking a rail line. Protestors chanted, “when justice fails, block the rails” and “shut down Canada!” as they forced CP Rail trains to turn back.
Vanessa Gray of Idle No More told Spring Magazine: “We are here to shut down the tracks in solidarity with everyone else shutting down Canada today. We demand that the RCMP stands down. We need to keep taking action until we can assert the hereditary chiefs’ demands and ensure that our land defenders are safe.”
The Wet’suwet’en Nation has opposed the Coastal GasLink project running through their unceded territory. On December 31, the BC Supreme Court granted Coastal GasLink an expanded injunction. The Wet’suwet’en responded by issuing an eviction notice against TC Energy in early January.
WHEN JUSTICE FAILS, BLOCK THE RAILS. By Krisna Saravanamuttu, Orion Endicott Keresztesi, and Valerie Lannon, Springmag.ca, February 10, 2020 | RESIST!
Quakers, social justice and revolution 