There was a time when we in the US enjoyed freedom of the press.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. First Amendment of the US Constitution.

The story below is about restrictions on the use of social media to support the Wet’suwet’en as a condition of release after arrest (in Canada). This is really disturbing, but I have expected something like this to happen. The corporate controlled mainstream media rarely cover justice stories. Thus, activists have become adept at using social media platforms to publish their stories and communicate with each other, their supporters and the general public. I like the idea of “Digital Smoke Signals” which is described as “Indigenous Networking” on their website. http://www.digitalsmokesignals.com/

I’ve thought about what we would do when (not if) our Internet access is shut down. We might revive the “Pony Express”, or today’s equivalent using a network of bicycles, drones or electric cars.

If political censorship doesn’t effectively shut down the Internet, environmental chaos will when physical damage of servers, routers, the power grid, etc. occurs from violent storms or rising sea levels.

Women’s Coordinating Committee for a Free Wallmapu [Toronto]
2.29.2020·

UPDATE: Crown Censors Land Defenders in supporting Wet’suwet’en on Social Media following arrests in Hamilton

[Feb 29th] Crown prosecutors have censured at least one if not several Land Defenders from posting any public support for the Wet’suwet’en cause on social media, following their arrests in Hamilton. Earlier this week, at least four Land Defenders were detained in connection to the city’s recent CN Rail blockade in their workplaces and home, facing several charges and spent a few nights in prison.
WCC has received the following screenshot stating that the Crown prosecutor in charge of the case had pushed for bail conditions which censor defendants from posting any support of the Wet’suwet’en cause on social media, later approved by the Justice of Peace. While it is unclear if one or more of the defendants have the same bail conditions, this new development would signal an escalation of police and court tactics against Land Defenders across the territory.
News in development…
ALL EYES ON WET’SUWET’EN!
OIL & GAS OUT OF WET’SUWET’EN LAND!
AMULEPE TAIÑ WEICHAN!
#ShutDownCanada #WetsuwetenStrong #RCMPOUT #ReconciliationIsDead #WCCC Toronto

CBC has reported a rise in anti-Indigenous racism and violence seen in wake of Wet’suwet’en solidarity uprisings across the country. News outlets have shared with us that they have had to delete hundreds of hateful comments from the articles covering our encampment specifically. This week there was a nationwide call out for Sons of Odin and Proud boys to rally together across Canada and dismantle Indigenous blockades and solidarity actions. This call was emboldened by Ezra Levant’s public announcement that he will cover the legal costs of anyone who is arrested while dismantling a blockade. We are youth holding ceremony in solidarity with our Wet’suwet’en relations, we recognize what’s being done to the could be done to any of us or our communities and we are being targeted by white supremacist hate groups. Over the weekend, especially Saturday, please come and visit with us. We will be hosting participatory art projects, teach-ins and screenings throughout the weekend 🙌🏽 we so deeply appreciate your support, your presence keeps us safe.

📸 Photo by Mike Graeme
Instagram: @mikegraeme
#shutdowncanada #youthforyintah #reconciliationisdead #alleyesonwetsuweten
Indigenous Youth for Wet’suwet’en