Wet’suwet’en Update 2.8.2020 Night Update

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

So much is going on in Solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en that I needed another blog post to summarize some of the actions that have occurred since the last post earlier this evening. Wet’suwet’en Updates 2.8.2020 Evening

It was very nice for someone to comment “way to go Iowa peeps” related to our Wet’suwet’en solidarity vigil in Des Moines, Iowa. Although we are scattered geographically we are all working toward the same goal.
https://kislingjeff.wordpress.com/2020/02/07/wetsuweten-updates-2-7-2020-evening/

Wet’suwet’en Solidarity #AllEyesOnWetsuweten

“We need you.”

All eyes needed! One of the most important Indigenous movements is under attack right now for attempting to protect their land from a gas pipeline.
With the second day of heavily armed Royal Canadian Mounted Police raids underway at #Wetsuweten watch camps in Nothern British Columbia, thousands of people across so-called Canada are throwing down right now.
This international human rights violation must be stopped. Stand in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en > http://unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/?

350.org

protest02072020
Protesters marched to the legislature in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in their opposition to the Coastal GasLink natural-gas project in Northern B.C., Friday, Feb. 7, 2020.

Hundreds of protesters supporting Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs in their opposition to a Coastal GasLink natural-gas pipeline going through their territory in northern B.C. briefly shut down Douglas Street on Friday morning as they marched to the legislature.
Some have indicated they will be staying through the weekend, said spokeswoman Nikki Sanchez.
A number had already spent Thursday night in the central archway on the legislature steps, which remained piled high with bedding and supplies on Friday. Wood was burning in a metal fire pit.
Also on Friday, about 20 protesters staged a sit-in the foyer at the RBC Royal Bank on Douglas Street in the late morning. The bank was closed.
The marchers began the day by gathering at Centennial Square before heading onto Douglas. A portion of the crowd broke off by about 10 a.m. and blocked the intersection of Government and Belleville streets.
Kolin Sutherland-Wilson of the Gitxsan Nation, one of those who spent Thursday night at the legislature, said he wasn’t certain how long the group would stay in the legislative precinct.
“It’s not our intention to stay here indefinitely, but we are here as a part of a national-scale movement by Indigenous youth for Wet’suwet’en,” said the 26-year-old.
Morgan Mowatt, a 30-year-old PhD student at the University of Victoria and also a member of the Gitxsan Nation, said the intent of the Friday rally was to show the urgency of upholding the rights of the Wet’suwet’en people.
“What we’re asking for is that the B.C. government and Canadian government meet the demands of the hereditary chiefs,” she said. “So we’re just here in solidarity. We’re not an organized group. We come together as individuals to support the Wet’suwet’en as young, Indigenous people.
“We’re here in peaceful action out of love.”
Mowatt described the participants as “land defenders,” and said support is spreading. “I do think the movement is picking up,” she said. “We’re seeing a tonne of action across Canada in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en. “And it’s because what happens on Wet’suwet’en territory sets a precedent for the rest of us.”

Protest march briefly closes Douglas Street, protesters camped out at legislature by Jeff Bell / Times Colonist, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

Protesters supporting Indigenous pipeline opponents in northern B.C. blocked access to the Port of Vancouver for the third straight day Saturday, creating heavy traffic backups.
A long line of trucks was seen stalled on Highway 1 at the McGill Street offramp leading to the Commissioner Street port entrance, with an entire lane blocked off to regular traffic.
The protesters also blocked off access to the port at Powell Street and Heatley Avenue, as well as the overpass near Clark Drive and East Hastings Street.
The blockades are a repeat of actions taken by demonstrators on Thursday and Friday, which were timed with the evening commutes.
The Port of Vancouver said the actions had not yet led to a full port shutdown, but added “some operations are immediately impacted.”

Wet’suwet’en supporters block Port of Vancouver for 3rd straight day, stalling port traffic. BY SEAN BOYNTON GLOBAL NEWS, Posted February 8, 2020 2:49 pm

a man holding a sign: Protestors block road access to the Port of Vancouver Saturday. Traffic was snarled as areas surrounding the entries to the port were also blocked; at Clark and East Hastings, Powell Street and Heatley Avenue, and on Commissioner Street.
© Jason Payne Protestors block road access to the Port of Vancouver Saturday. Traffic was snarled as areas surrounding the entries to the port were also blocked; at Clark and East Hastings, Powell Street and Heatley Avenue, and on Commissioner Street.

Protesters blockaded all three entrances to the Port of Vancouver on Saturday in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and land defenders trying to halt a natural gas pipeline project in northwest B.C.
Traffic at the north ends of Heatley, Clark and Commissioner crawled for much of the day as more than 150 demonstrators occupied the intersections outside the port’s gates, blocking vehicles from entering. Police redirected traffic at each blockade.
The protesters carried banners reading “We are the land defending itself” and “Oppenheimer to Wet’suwet’en, all unceded Indigenous land.” They made speeches, sang and chanted, and blocked a man from driving his pickup truck across Clark Drive.
It was the third day of blockades at the port and part of similar action across Canada, including a ceremonial fire lit on the front steps of the B.C. legislature in Victoria.
Herb Varley, another port blockade organizer, said he understood that some people were upset with the protesters but said the threat of climate catastrophe and damage done by colonialism made it important to “disrupt capital” at the port.
“Moral arguments do not work with the powers that be,” Varley said.
“What they understand is economic gains and losses. We have nothing against the people that work at the port. This isn’t about them. This isn’t about us. This is about the Wet’suwet’en. These are kind of economic choke points. Tremendous amounts of goods go through the port every single day.”

Vancouver port gates blocked by Wet’suwet’en solidarity protest by Nick Eagland, Vancouver Sun, 2.8.2020

Police wheel a person away, taking them into custody, on day three of arrests over the Coastal GasLink pipeline injunction. (Chantelle Bellrichard/CBC News)

The RCMP continued to make arrests on Saturday — the third day in a row of police enforcement against the Wet’suwe’ten and their supporters opposed to the Coastal GasLink pipeline in northern B.C.
CBC News saw RCMP officers dragging several people on sleds out of a camp area early Saturday afternoon after people were told they had to leave the area or face arrest.
Tensions remain high in the area and more arrests are expected as people and obstacles remain in the way of Coastal GasLink and its contractors who are attempting to get back into a disputed area to re-start work on a natural gas pipeline.
On Dec. 31, a B.C. Supreme Court judge issued an injunction against members of the Wet’suwe’ten Nation blocking access to the pipeline project inside their traditional territory and empowered RCMP to enforce the injunction.

Tensions continue to rise between RCMP and Wet’suwe’ten at pipeline protest. Police have been enforcing an injunction so Coastal GasLink pipeline work can proceed unimpeded by Chantelle Bellrichard · CBC News · Posted: Feb 08, 2020

Posted in #NDAPL, decolonize, Uncategorized, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment

Wet’suwet’en Updates 2.8.2020 Evening

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Jeff Kisling
Response to sending our Des Moines event to be posted on the International Solidarity Event page
Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Des Moines, Iowa
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We redecorated the Johnson Street Bridge! All Eyes to Wet’suwet’en!
Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Victoria

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Wet’suwet’en Solidarity Victoria

RCMP Land Helicopters at Unist’ot’en Gate

On the morning of February 8th, 2020, RCMP officers landed at the gates of Unist’ot’en Village by helicopter. Unist’ot’en chiefs and house members began calling on their ancestors for support. They held a cremation ceremony for Canadian/Indigenous reconciliation, and burned a copy of the injunction that the RCMP was there to serve on behalf of Coastal GasLink (TC Energy). After about 30 minutes, the RCMP got back into their helicopters and left.
Earlier today, RCMP were trying to intimidate our chiefs and threatening charges against land defenders for damaging the bridge leading to the Gidimt’en checkpoint.
The Gidimt’en have maintained a metal gate to protect their yintah, as is their right under Anuk nu’at’en (Wet’suwet’en law) and UNDRIP. The metal gate was sturdily attached to the bridge.
Instead of taking proper steps to remove the gate, RCMP, or industrial contractors under the escort of RCMP, pulled the metal gate with a tow truck and damaged the bridge. RCMP denied access to the Gidimt’en checkpoint to the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs, by claiming that the Gidimt’en checkpoint had damaged the bridge and that safe access was impossible. It is our firm belief that RCMP actions are directly responsible for any damage to the bridge.
Accredited journalists present on site were originally told they could film from five feet away, but were detained repeatedly by police, and were removed from the immediate area. They were then made to stand 60 feet away from any police action and were denied access by the RCMP to film the removal of the metal gate. Accordingly, in the absence of impartial witnesses, the RCMP are claiming that the Gidimt’en checkpoint damaged the only road access to their yintah.
RCMP Land Helicopters at Unist’ot’en Gate

Lots of photos at Colin Smith Takes Pics.

Two helicopters dropped RCMP officers just outside the gate to the Unist’ot’en Healing Centre around 11 a.m. today, as police moved to evict the last of three locations set up by Wet’suwet’en members opposed to a gas pipeline through their traditional territory.
Freda Huson, the director of the healing centre, donned regalia as the helicopters arrived, including a blanket representing the land. Women from the healing centre headed to the gate to the camp with her and began a ceremony.
When an RCMP officer called over the gate asked to speak to Huson, a legal observer staying at the camp told him she was in ceremony.
Huson later walked toward a large fire that had been built on the snowy bridge, with a copy of the injunction granted Dec. 31 barring the Wet’suwet’en from blocking Coastal GasLink’s access to its pipeline work sites.
“RCMP are liars!” she yelled, throwing the injunction in the fire. “It’s not worth the paper it’s written on.”
The women ring bells to summon ancestors and call out the names of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Media — including The Tyee — are on the scene, as well as legal observers. Others in the camp remain in the healing centre.
Huson explained the song that was part of the ceremony.
“We’re trying to save the water, the land for all humankind. Not just us. And they won’t listen,” she said. “So that’s why it had to come to this.”
“They tore down our traps. They’ve disrespected my chiefs. So that is why it comes to this. Why we have a cremation ceremony for Canada.”

Unistoten camp
Residents of Unist’ot’en Healing Centre, including Freda Huson, healing centre director and Unist’ot’en spokesperson (centre), refused to talk to RCMP who landed at the centre by helicopter this morning. Photo by Amanda Follett Hosgood.
851px version of Wetsuweten-Map.jpg
RCMP reached the Unist’ot’en Healing Centre on Feb. 8, where The Tyee’s Amanda Follett Hosgood is in the scene. Map for The Tyee by Andrew Walsh.

RCMP Arrive at Unist’ot’en Healing Centre as Injunction Enforcement Continues. Two helicopters drop off officers, who are greeted by songs and ceremony. Tyee is on the scene. Amanda Follett Hosgood 2.8.2020| TheTyee.ca

Extinction Rebellion Toronto (Posted)

Tonight, in solidarity with #Wetsuweten people, Toronto rebels held space at the intersection of Bay and Queen streets in Toronto’s financial district, in between City Hall, banks and corporations.
We demand an immediate end to the colonial violence happening right now at Unist’ot’en Camp. #NoPipelines #WetsuwetenStrong
Follow Wet’suwet’en Access Point on Gidimt’en Territory for updates.
Couldn’t make it tonight? Join us tomorrow Feb 8 at 11am at Dovercourt Park: https://www.facebook.com/events/484525335770468/
#EyesOnWetsuweten #ClimateJustice

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Extinction Rebellion Toronto
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Indigenous Solidarity Ottawa shared a post.
In Algonquin Territory/Ottawa, today.
Posted in Uncategorized, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment

In Iowa, Candidates Slam DAPL

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

The following is a summary from the excellent article, In Iowa, Candidates Slam DAPL as Documents Show Expansion Tied to Exports by Steve Horn, the Real news network, Feb 3, 2020. I apologize for using so many quotes from the article. It is really worth reading the entire article yourself.

https://therealnews.com/columns/in-iowa-candidates-slam-dapl-as-documents-show-expansion-tied-to-exports

Ed Fallon and many people organized by Bold Iowa worked very hard to press Democratic Presidential candidates about their positions related to climate change. They used a number of creative techniques to get attention. One being to dress up as penguins, which was stimulated by Andrew Yang’s comment that people with financial struggles feel penguins can wait in line. You can hear his response, and see the penguins, in the following video.

In Iowa, a pack of penguins question Andrew Yang on climate change

“Fallon’s most recent encounter, one with former Vice President Joe Biden on January 26, ended with Biden gently pushing him away and telling him to “go vote for somebody else.” Though a supporter of Tom Steyer, Biden assumed Fallon supported Bernie Sanders.”

https://therealnews.com/columns/in-iowa-candidates-slam-dapl-as-documents-show-expansion-tied-to-exports

“For Bold Iowa, a central part of their organizing strategy in the months leading up to the caucuses was confronting candidates in person.
“We’ve got over 250 people statewide, who early last year agreed to birddog candidates on climate and most of them have been to at least one and some of them a dozen or more events,” Fallon said. “I mean, several people have been to probably 50 events.”
They also asked candidates questions on issues such as their stances on the Green New Deal and how they will respond to the climate crisis if they become president.”

During the 2016 election cycle, Dakota Access (pipeline) was in proposal phase. But by 2017, it opened for business with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, who received more than $100,000 in campaign contributions from Energy Transfer Partners CEO Kelcy Warren during the 2016 election cycle.
It is the proposal to double the pipeline’s capacity to about 1.1 million barrels a day, that is now up for consideration. North Dakota’s Bakken Shale basin, where the oil flowing through the pipeline is obtained via the hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) drilling process, currently produces 1.5 million barrels per day of oil.
Bold Iowa has confronted 17 different candidates on the expansion plan, with nine of them opposing the plan. Fallon also worries, though Energy Transfer Partners often makes its sales pitch for the pipeline in the name of “energy security,” that “nearly every drop of this oil they want to double through here is going to be for export.”

“Initially when Energy Transfer Partners notified the Iowa Utilities Board that it intended to perform an “optimization project” for Dakota Access, it stated that it did not need to notify the agency under state law, but was doing so as “courtesy.””

“More recently, the Story County Board of Supervisors in Iowa—the government for the county which houses one of Energy Transfer Partners’ pump stations in Cambridge, Iowa—voted unanimously on January 7 calling on the Iowa Utilities Board to hold a public hearing to “investigate how the proposed doubling of the flow of oil serves the public convenience and necessity of the residents of Iowa, when in fact the U.S. has become a net exporter of oil.””

Media Blackout

“Bold Iowa and 50 other organizations did a climate parade on February 1, two days before the Caucus, a march ending at the main media hub for national outlets that come to Iowa to cover the Caucuses. The ending point was not an accident, but part of an ongoing strategy.
For Fallon, he said his group hoped to get the media to shine a light on the pipeline expansion plan through the march and by confronting candidates over the past several months. But instead, he added, the pipeline has garnered far less attention than the original proposal in the months before the 2016 election.
“It’s just been a real surprise to me that neither local nor national media have focused on DAPL, because I mean DAPL was a huge national story for a couple years,” Fallon said. “It is surprising that nobody’s picked it up.””

Following are some of my photos from the Climate Crisis Parade mentioned above.

Posted in #NDAPL, Arts, climate change, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Unist’ot’en Camp Updates

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

Unist’ot’en Camp

URGENT UPDATES Feb 7, 2020:
[Please SHARE widely – this post will be continually updated

9:10pm -Chief Woos of the Gidimt’en was denied access to his territory. Chief Ste ohn tsiy left the 27km camp and was denied re-entry. Wet’suwet’en Chiefs are being denied access to Wet’suwet’en territories.

9:09 pm – We hear RCMP are demanding the camp at 27km be shut down & evacuated. The RCMP exclusion zone is now at the 3km mark on Morice Forest Service Road.

People can’t leave because police towed their vehicles away. Elders, chiefs, and a pregnant woman are stranded.

7:10 pm – We have heard that RCMP have removed vehicles that were blocking the road at 27KM, and bulldozers are now driving down the road back towards town.

6:21 pm – We are hearing that 30 RCMP are surrounding Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and supporters at 27KM who have blocked the road. Among them, Dini’ze Smogelgem, Dini’ze Dsta’hyl, and Tsake’ze Sleydo’.

6:16 pm – Denzel Sutherland-Wilson from the Gitxsan nation was arrested and removed from Gidimt’en tower earlier today. Only those in Chief Woos’ cabin remain. The Gitxsan are the oldest allies of the Wet’suwet’en.

6:15 pm – 27KM has said that they are now being surrounded by RCMP and not allowed to leave

6:13 pm – Everything is quiet at Gidimten checkpoint. Those in the cabin no longer see or hear police. It seems like the majority of the force has headed out and at least 15 RCMP have headed to 27km. The tower is still standing. The road is still blocked.

3:30 pm – Over 20 Wet’suwet’en and supporter vehicles have amassed at 27km mark, effectively blockading the exit route to RCMP paddy-wagons leaving the territory. They’re holding a ceremony and ensuring the safety of those arrested.

3:23 pm – Anne Spice has been walked across the bridge leaving Woos’ territory. One person remains in the tower, but updates from the tower have stopped.

3:14 pm – Anne Spice has been taken down from the tower. One person remains on top of the tower. Legal observers, @GitxsanJt, and a documentary filmmaker are still on site but far away.

3:00 pm – The Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs are not being allowed onto Gidimten territory by RCMP. Anne Spice, Tlingit supporter of the Wet’suwet’en, is being removed from the tower in a harness.

2:56 pm – A tactical unit member is up on the tower. Those in the tower say they will come down if Chief Woos is allowed up to his territory. An Indigenous woman in the tower has asked for a female officer to do the arrest, RCMP are refusing.

2:45 pm – RCMP won’t specify what the charges are or why the people in the tower are under arrest.

2:34 pm – People in Woos’ cabin can hear chainsaws and yelling outside. People are still in the tower. RCMP have cut down prayer ties on the tower. RCMP have said that the people on the tower are already under arrest and they are just trying to get them down.

2:22 pm – Within the last 10 minutes, the paddywagon has left.

2:19 pm – RCMP are on the first platform to remove people from the tower overlooking the Gidimt’en checkpoint.

2:02 pm – RCMP are now using ladders to move up the wooden tower overlooking the territory

1:51 pm – People in Woos’ cabin are being told they could be facing charges of “obstruction” under the criminal code for remaining in the “exclusion zone”. RCMP have declined to clarify anything about what defines the exclusion zone.

1:45 pm – The two arrestees have been put into a paddy wagon. The paddy wagon has left the territory

1:34 pm – Eve Saint, daughter of @Gidimten Chief Woos, has been arrested along with one other. They were removed from the bus blocking the road. They have been walked out by RCMP. They are not hurt.

1:07 pm – RCMP are using chainsaws to remove the wooden gate. Tactical officer couldn’t start one of the Wet’suwet’en snowmobiles, so they had to tow it away.

1:01 pm – Many RCMP throughout the site are refusing to identify themselves, give names or badge numbers, and are wearing masks, we’ve heard.

12:53 pm – RCMP are telling those in the cabin that they do not wish to destroy the cabin, but that everyone inside must leave. They have no warrant

12:51 pm – Eve Saint, Woos’ daughter, and her partner, are in the bus and are refusing to leave. The media is far away with a poor visual and no sound. Paddywagons are pulling in now.

12:50 pm – Media are being kept 60 ft from bus, but are allowed to film.

12:48 PM – RCMP refused to provide a map of the exclusion zone – they said the cabin is not part of the injunction, but the exclusion zone is part of the injunction. Those inside the cabin asked how long the “exclusion zone” will be in place. The responding officer did not “know anything about anything.”

12:44 pm – A very large excavator has been brought to the bridge, and is being lined up to push across the wooden gate. Those inside the cabin are asking police if they have a warrant to enter the building. The police responded that they do not have a warrant.

12:42 pm – Corporal Tanguay is trying to convince those in Woos’ cabin that they are a part of the exclusion zone, and asking questions. Those inside are not responding to the questions.

12:41 pm – The metal gate at Gidimt’en is down. Legal observer is trying to get RCMP badge numbers and police names but RCMP won’t respond. Some RCMP are wearing masks to cover their faces.

12:38 pm – RCMP are knocking on the door of Woos’ cabin, shouting “RCMP exclusion zone” at those inside, surrounding the cabin. The cabin is not within the injunction zone, is about 30 meters from the nearest road, and is not impeding any work.

12:33 pm – RCMP are now approaching the door of Woos’ trapping cabin.

12:27 pm – We just heard that the camp is “just overrun with officers – both sides of bridge and through the camp. They’re currently grinding the metal gate off.” Commanding Officer Dixon is trying to tell people to come off the tower. Gidimt’en supporters said they would leave when all police are off the territory.

12:25 pm – Multiple units of RCMP with tactical gear are now breaching the camp’s palisade structure and heading toward Woos’ cabin – which, again, is well outside of the injunction zone.

12:14 pm – 3 RCMP tactical team members are now looking into Woos’ cabin – a permanent homesite outside of the injunction area – peering into the window from afar.

12:10 pm – RCMP have one person staged for lethal overwatch on the bus sending updates. “They’ve got a gun pointed at us, underneath the warrior flag.” RCMP are apparently trying to limit the visibility of tactical teams to the press.

12:07 pm – RCMP “have one person stationed on the other side of the flipped van. They’re the one doing the lethal overwatch. They’ve got a gun pointed at us, underneath the warrior flag,” we’ve just heard. RCMP said they surrounded the bus to create a “safety bubble”. RCMP are trying to limit the visibility of the tactical team to media.

12:04 pm – RCMP are attempting to breach the bus that is sending out updates.

12:03 pm – Silverking helicopters is a local company that has refused to fly supplies and media into #Unistoten / #Wetsuweten territories. Looks like they’re flying RCMP tactical teams in to steal our land. We’ve heard RCMP are using their hanger as a staging ground. Their #: (250) 877-1989 https://silverkingheli.com/

12:02 pm – The bus where Gidimt’en updates are coming from is now surrounded by tactical RCMP.

12:00 pm – Officers have approached – K9 unit and at least four with assault rifles – they’re negotiating with press right now. One officer is staged behind with a gun pointed at the Wetsuweten supporters.

11:57 am – We’ve just heard that the RCMP team and K9 unit are getting ready to move into the camp, checkpoint also reports they see officers in the bushes. RCMP are surrounding them and trying to flank them with snowmobiles.

11:50 am – Those at Gidimten just said the teams dropped off by the helicopters included K9 units – so they are surrounded by snipers and police dogs.

11:48 am – DLT officers are trying to convince those at Gidimt’en to come down off the tower & asking them to negotiate. They told RCMP they cannot negotiate – and RCMP must talk to chief Woos. RCMP are asking people to be escorted off the territory now or to be arrested.

11:27 am – Two more helicopters just dropped off another wave of tactical RCMP, bringing the total number as high as 32. RCMP are reading the injunction over and over through a loudspeaker.

11:25 am – Up to 24 tactical RCMP have been dropped in helicopters right behind the Gidimt’en checkpoint, likely with snipers. Injunction is being read out as tactical teams are being dropped from the sky. 30 cops are approaching the gate with TAC Team and a commander.

11:20 am – A third round of helicopters just dropped off more tactical teams, bringing the total of police behind the Gidimt’en camp anywhere up to 24 if they are dropping off full teams.

11:18 am – “They’re reading us the injunction as they’re dropping off tactical teams,” we just heard from Gidimt’en. RCMP have kettled the camp. 30 police up front, at least a dozen behind.

11:17 am – RCMP are now in front of the Gidimten bridge reading the injunction through a loudspeaker. Two helicopters have landed behind the camp once more, dropping two more tactical teams. 3 to 4 officers getting off each heli – so a dozen or more RCMP are behind them.

11:11 am – Two RCMP helicopters landed behind Gidimt’en and dropped off at least four members of the tactical team, then took off again. Tac team was seen heading into the bush with snowshoes. RCMP has approached the gate again. Gidimt’en checkpoint is now surrounded.
Two snowmobiles are staged in front of the gate, and two tactical teams are staged behind. So the Gidimten camp has been kettled, likely by snipers.

10:59 am – The Gidimten Checkpoint has a visual of RCMP Bronze Commander Rob Pikola. They have now confirmed visual of an officer with an assault rifle. There are now 30 officers counted at Gidimten
checkpoint, including tac team and a commander.

10:57 am – A group of industry workers are inspecting the metal gate to figure out how to get through it. A couple tactical officers were seen moving sleds of equipment that they stashed out of view.
@Gidimten are wondering if the equipment is weapons of some kind.

10:43 am – Officers inspected the Gidimt’en’s metal gate, and then retreated it, likely to figure out how to breach it.

10:38 am – RCMP officers have now all lined up at the gate of
@Gidimten checkpoint.

10:33 am – Gidimten can now see 12 vehicles including a bulldozer & ambulance. The bulldozer is clearing right up to the bridge. 1 industry worker is present with 13 officers standing behind them, with likely many more behind them. We’re told “we can’t see the end of the line of vehicles.”

10:19 am – There is now a low-flying chopper overhead as police move in. It is a black chopper, not an RCMP chopper.

10:04 am – can now see three tactical officers.

10:02 am – @Gidimten checkpoint has visual of 14 RCMP including liaisons. One tactical police officer. No assault weapons visible yet, just sidearms.

9:52 am – The plow clearing the road is being escorted into Gidimten by two tactical units and 11 other RCMP.

9:48 am – The RCMP have arrived at Gidimten checkpoint, and are walking into the camp. We’ve heard 8 regular RCMP and one tactical RCMP officer are on foot.

The plow is moving forward to plow into the gate at 44.

9:39 am – RCMP walking on foot to checkpoint at 44km. A plow is now visible approaching the Gidimten checkpoint, clearing the way for RCMP.

8:45 am – RCMP are apparently idling around the corner from the Gidimten checkpoint. We’re hearing reports that they are under drone surveillance. We heard this this morning that the convoy of RCMP was 2km long.

8:15 am – 55 vehicles were seen heading up the road past 27km towards the Gidimten checkpoint. We’ve just heard 44km can hear RCMP but have no visual.

#WETSUWETENSTRONG

For more updates see Wet’suwet’en Access Point on Gidimt’en Territory

For Gidimt’en’s call to action: www.yintahaccess.com

Donate to Gidimt’en camp: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gidimt039en-strong

Unist’ot’en Supporter toolkit: unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/

Unist’ot’en legal fund: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/unistoten2020legalfund

Posted in decolonize, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment

Rise Up With Us

Posted on February 8, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

“We make conscious decisions to either sit back and watch, or stand up and be heard.
We make choices as to whether protect our future generations, or we allow for a destitute future for them.
We make choices as to enter the uncomfortable place of change & movement, or we continue on this downward spiral.
What will your choice be?
Will you sit back and allow for human rights violations to occur, or will you #RiseUp with us?”

Wet’suwete’n Access Point at Gidemt’en Facebook Page

It is so inspiring to see people #RiseUp to support the Wet’suwet’en peoples and against the invasion of their lands by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Inspiring to see the Wet’suwet’en people peacefully confronting those who want to destroy the lands with so much beauty for a pipeline that should not be built. Fossil fuel must be kept in the ground. Especially inspiring to see the leadership of young people, Indigenous young people. We have a sense that it might be possible, for a change, to stop this pipeline. We did it before, at least so far, with the Keystone XL Pipeline. And we can do it again.

We didn’t think many people would join us at our vigil in Des Moines, Iowa. But we know it is not the number of people, just that there are people publicly supporting the Wet’suwet’en. You never know what the people driving past us might think or do. A sign displaying simply “Wet’suwet’en” might make some curious enough to look into this. Raising awareness and supporting each other is good. Each of us at the vigil drew strength from each other. As it says above, “what will your choice be?” Will you gather with a few friends and your signs to stand on a street corner in your town?

Friends and others support the Wet’suwet’en

Following is a summary of just a few of the acts of solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en.

VIDEO: Four arrested in northern B.C. as RCMP continues to enforce pipeline court order. Wet’suwet’en member says Mounties removed gates at Gidimt’en checkpoint by TREVOR HEWITT, Burns Lake Lakes District News, Feb. 7, 202

At least four people were arrested on the second day of the RCMP’s enforcement of a court order related to the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline near Houston.
Gidimt’en clan member and media spokesperson Jen Wickham says two protesters were taken into custody as Mounties removed the gates at the Gidimt’en checkpoint on the Morice West Forest Service Road early Friday afternoon.
In a video posted by demonstrator Anne Spice, a number of RCMP officers in tactical gear are seen, some carrying assault rifles.

Powerful video:
https://www.facebook.com/watchparty/1113286325729922/?entry_source=GROUP_FEED

Skiy’ze Dylan Naziel speaking at Vancouver rally 2.7.2020 ❤️ Made me smile so hard, tear up and my heart burst with pride. My son was raised well. Thank you for speaking to important issues Dylan!! You’re full on rock star in my eyes.

RCMP officers have arrested four people as they moved to remove a second Wet’suwet’en camp opposing a gas pipeline on the nation’s traditional territories.
More than 40 officers arrived at the Gidimt’en camp at kilometre 44 on the Morice West Forest Service Road in two helicopters and a dozen police vehicles this morning, according to radio messages to the Unist’ot’en Healing Centre at kilometre 66, where The Tyee is monitoring developments.
People at the Gidimt’en camp said the RCMP force included tactical squad officers armed with rifles.
RCMP used bulldozers to clear snow and obstacles from the road. They then used chainsaws and an excavator to remove a metal gate and wooden barricades blocking access to the camp and entered shortly after noon.
But RCMP efforts to arrest the campers quickly hit barriers, with supporters in the camp spread between a cabin, a school bus and a 10-metre-high lookout tower.
Officers initially arrested two people in the school bus. They then used ladders to climb the tower, which had been built over the bus, and removed two people from the lookout using ropes and harnesses.
“It seems like it’s the last transmission that we’re going to hear from the tower,” a supporter in the cabin radioed as the third and fourth arrests were made.
RCMP remained outside the cabin at publication. Pipeline opponents say occupying the cabin does not breach a Dec. 31 injunction barring anyone from obstructing Coastal GasLink pipeline company access to its worksites on traditional Wet’suwet’en territory. Police have told them to leave or face criminal charges of obstruction.
The police face more hurdles as darkness sets in. According to the Twitter feed of the Unist’ot’en camp, more than 20 Wet’suwet’en and supporter vehicles have gathered at kilometre 27, where the RCMP have a checkpoint. The vehicles are “effectively blockading the exit route” police need to leave the territory with those who have been arrested.
“They’re holding a ceremony and ensuring the safety of those arrested,” the camp said on Twitter.

Armed RCMP Launch Raid on Second Wet’suwet’en Camp Supported by Helicopters, Police Dogs. Blockade set up to prevent police leaving territory with those arrested. Amanda Follett Hosgood Feb. 7, 2020,| TheTyee.ca

Bus at kilometre 44
RCMP efforts to arrest campers at the Gidimt’en camp today quickly hit barriers, as some pipeline opponents refused to leave a school bus parked on a bridge to the camp. Photo by Amanda Follett Hosgood.

“Dogs were used, media was banned from filming arrests. Militarised police with night vision and automatic weapons raided the camp in the dead of night,” the group said on its website.
The raid was condemned by rights groups, including the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, an Indigenous advocacy group, which accused the RCMP of engaging in “senseless violence”.
“We are in absolute outrage and a state of painful anguish as we witness the Wet’suwet’en people having their title and rights brutally trampled on and their right to self-determination denied,” Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said in a statement.
“Indigenous rights are human rights and they cannot be ignored or sidestepped for any reason in the world, and certainly not for an economic interest.”

Canada police begin clearing Wet’suwet’en land defender camps. Wet’suwet’en Nation leaders say they never consented to Coastal GasLink pipeline project in British Columbia.by Jillian Kestler-D’Amours, Aljazeera, 6 Feb 2020

Hi, I propose that we all check-in on Fb at Unistoten – as we did back in 2016 to support the indigenous people from North Dakota (Standing Rock). The movement had attracted medias attention and over a million people answered the call of solidarity. What do you think ?

A protest east of Belleville has shut down VIA Rail service between Toronto and Ottawa and Toronto and Montreal.

Joshua Freeman, CP24.com
Published Friday, February 7, 2020 10:45AM EST

At around 9:20 a.m., VIA Rail said the protest on the CN railway tracks at Marysville has led to a number of cancellations.
The protesters are showing support for the Wet’suwet’en First Nation in northern British Columbia. Six people were recently arrested near a worksite as the RCMP enforced an injunction against the Nation’s hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who are opposing the Coastal GasLink pipeline.
“Due to the protesters currently blocking tracks near Belleville, Ontario, train service between Montreal and Toronto and between Ottawa and Toronto is affected in both directions,” the company said on its website. “None of the trains on these two routes will operate until the issue is resolved.”
On Twitter, the company listed trains 651, 41, 43, 50, 52, 60, 61, 62, 63 as having been cancelled Friday and said that train 51 would operate between Montreal and Ottawa, but would not travel between Ottawa and Toronto.

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Climate Justice Montreal – Justice Climatique Montréal

Protesters in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs’ opposition to a natural gas pipeline in northern B.C. took to the streets of Victoria Friday morning.
Then on Friday afternoon, a group of around 20 activists started a sit-in in the lobby of the RBC Bank on Douglas Street and are blocking entry.
The group in the morning gathered at Centennial Square at around 8 a.m. before parading out onto Douglas Street, blocking traffic in the southbound direction.
The protest caused some traffic delays as the group made their way down Douglas en route to the B.C. legislature.
Just after 11 a.m., Victoria police said Douglas Street would be closed at Fort Street while protesters moved to that location. Douglas Street at Belleville Street is now open.

Activists supporting Wet’suwet’en block Victoria traffic, occupy RBC branch downtown, CHECK News, February 7th, 2020

We rallied today in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en at the Canadian Consulate in so-called San Francisco on Ohlone territories. More than forty people came out to express their solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en and to commit to supporting this struggle. International solidarity.

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#wetsuwetenstrong #RiseUp

Posted in #NDAPL, civil disobedience, climate change, decolonize, Uncategorized, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment

Wet’suwet’en Updates 2.7.2020 Evening

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

Several of us gathered in Des Moines, Iowa, for a vigil in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en peoples. Our friends at Bold Iowa and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (ICCI) helped notify people about our vigil. Thank you and thanks to those who attended.

BREAKING: At roughly 4:44 a.m. this morning B.C. time RCMP tactical units breached the first Wet’suet’en camp at 39 KM. Journalist Jerome Turner is embedded in the camp at 44 KM and is sending out live updates.
While we wait for more details on the raid, here’s our video report on the people in the camp at 66KM. The RCMP are presumably heading for this camp now. Follow @ricochet_en on Twitter for the latest. We are the only outlet with an embedded journalist providing real time updates.

Hundreds marched through downtown Ottawa | APTN News
Hundreds marched through downtown Ottawa Friday afternoon in support of the Wet’suwet’en Nation.
APTN’s Jamie Pashagumskum was there.
Learn more and read the latest about the conflict here: https://aptnnews.ca/wetsuweten/

2.7.2020 at 6:16 PM
On the water, for the water
When the roads are closed, take the water. Cody Merriman headed up the Wedzin Kwa river to stand with our relatives. RCMP cannot keep us off Wet’suwet’en lands.
#Wetsuwetenstrong #Waterislife
Yintahaccess.com
Wet’suwet’en Access Point on Gidimt’en Territory

2.7.2020 at 2:26 PM
Update from the Gathering Place at 27km as of 11:35 am. Prayers and ceremony are happening. The voices coming out from Gidimt’en Camp at 44km are strong and steady. If you’re able to go to 27km the people are gathering. Otherwise stand where you are and let them know we are all one! Wë nul ggit gin! (Be brave!) Wewe nïgil git (We are not afraid)
Ways to support: www.yintahaccess.com
Wet’suwet’en Access Point on Gidimt’en Territory

#WetsuwetenStrong #RCMPstandDown #NoTrespass #WedzinKwa #DefendTheYintah #RCMPareMercineries #WouldYouShootMeToo #LandDefenders #WaterProtectors #RiseUp #LightYourSacredFires #AllEyesOnWetsuweten

RCMP Escort Industry and Block Wet’suwet’en People
Footage from yesterday morning, when RCMP denied Chief Sleydo’ (Molly Wickham) access to her own territory and home, blocked media, and escorted Coastal Gaslink contractors in.
Our territories are being turned into a police state while RCMP violently invade our lands so that Coastal Gaslink can destroy them.
We have never given up our rights to this land. We have never consented to this project. The 22,000km2 of Wet’suwet’en land remain unceded, unsurrendered, and undefeated.
Our hereditary chiefs remain steadfast that no pipelines will be built here. They lead with integrity. This is Gidimt’en land and it always will be.
Wet’suwet’en Access Point on Gidimt’en Territory

Posted in decolonize, Indigenous, Uncategorized, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Wet’suwet’en Strong Updates 2.7.2020

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

Unist’ot’en Camp
51 mins
URGENT UPDATES
Feb 7, 2020:
9:52 am – The plow clearing the road is being escorted into Gidimten by two tactical units and 11 other RCMP.
9:48 am – The RCMP have arrived at Gidimten checkpoint, and are walking into the camp. We’ve heard 8 regular RCMP and one tactical RCMP officer are on foot.
The plow is moving forward to plow into the gate at 44.
9:39 am – RCMP walking on foot to checkpoint at 44km. A plow is now visible approaching the Gidimten checkpoint, clearing the way for RCMP.
8:45 am – RCMP are apparently idling around the corner from the Gidimten checkpoint. We’re hearing reports that they are under drone surveillance. We heard this this morning that the convoy of RCMP was 2km long.
8:15 am – 55 vehicles were seen heading up the road past 27km towards the Gidimten checkpoint. We’ve just heard 44km can hear RCMP but have no visual.
#WETSUWETENSTRONG
For more updates see Wet’suwet’en Access Point on Gidimt’en Territory
For Gidimt’en’s call to action: http://www.yintahaccess.com
Donate to Gidimt’en camp: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gidimt039en-strong
Unist’ot’en Supporter toolkit: unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/
Unist’ot’en legal fund: https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/unistoten2020legalfund

Wet’suwet’en hereditary chief speaks with reporters outside the RCMP’s exclusion zone | APTN News
Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chief NaMoks speaks with reporters outside the RCMP’s exclusion zone Thursday.
Police raided the camps in the early morning hours sending in dozens of vehicles and banning media from entering although three outlets were already embedded in the camps.

2/7/2020 10:32 am
This is the convoy headed up to Gidimt’en camp today at 44 km. Please come to support us at the Gathering Place at 27 km today or show your solidarity where you stand.
ways to support: www.yintahaccess.com #WetsuwetenStrong 
Wet’suwet’en Access Point on Gidimt’en Territory

Wetsuweten Solidarity Victoria

Indigenous Solidarity Ottawa

Sovereign Likhts’amisyu

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The following image and story is by Sadie-Phoenix Lavoie

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I woke up this morning with such anxiety hearing about the RCMP colonial raid of Wet’suwet’en lands where 6 land defenders and allies were arrested and also forcing media out. I’ve been supporting the Indigenous youth and allies here in Winnipeg since Tuesday morning who’ve been occupying Dan Vandal’s office, MP of Northern Affairs, for over 56 HOURS and counting, whom which don’t plan on leaving until he fulfills their demands which include a public statement condemning the RCMP raids and exclusion zones, stating publicly that “consultation does not give automatic consent” and to respect the demands by the hereditary chiefs of Wet’suwet’en who are fully opposed to Coastal Gas Link pipeline project on their unceded traditional territory.

I’ve already been personally attacked today claiming that holding Dan Vandal accountable towards respecting Indigenous rights in Wet’suwet’en lands as a democratic elected minister is somehow an attack on themselves and thus I’m being laterally violent for hurting their feelings. But I’ve also received so much love and support from people who truly respect me and know where my heart lies. I will always side with the land, waters, and the youth who are in LOCKDOWN for those sacred lands and waters. I wanted to show my love and appreciation for these young people who are standing up by sharing my gift of making art for the cause.

I wanted to feature my best friend Kakeka Thundersky who is currently in lockdown in Dan’s office. We knew the RCMP were going to raid their lands which is why we came to Dan’s office in the first place to put pressure on the government, RCMP, and to be in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en…but sadly up to this point he has failed us. The RCMP raid has now happened. And other camps are still under threat for colonial evasion. The youth in lockdown will be meeting with Dan Vandal tomorrow at 11am to discuss these demands and to expect he make a public statement on where he stands, either for Indigenous rights or for colonialism? We are fed up with government passing the buck on who has jurisdiction, when NO COLONIAL GOVERNMENT OR COMPANY OR POLICE FORCE HAS ANY RIGHT ON UNCEDED WET’SUWET’EN LANDS LET ALONE REMOVE PEOPLE OFF THEIR OWN LANDS!

We must hold every politician accountable for their involvement and their complicity in contemporary colonialism in Canada! You don’t get to reconcile while steal the land away from the people who need the land to survive and then just look away!

#WetsuwetenStrong
#IndigenousYouthForWetsuweten
#landback
#RespectIndigenousLaw
#RCMPBACKOFF

Trains along the Belleville-Kingston corridor came to a standstill as a demonstration is being staged on the CN Rail in the late afternoon of Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.
Via Rail confirmed that trains stopped moving in both Kingston and Belleville due to the demonstration, and posts on social media state the protest is in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en as the RCMP has moved in on the anti-pipeline camp at Wet’suwet’en territory in B.C. and arrests have been made. The demonstration is taking place on the train tracks at Wyman Road, which is near Shannonville between Kingston and Belleville.
Demonstrators on the scene at Wyman Road indicated they will be letting one or two trains through every now and then as the protest continues, however, after making that agreement with the rail authorities, it was clear that CN and Via Rail had made a concerted effort to place trains back to back, as four trains moved through the demonstration, firing up the angers of those in attendance.
Those with Via Rail indicated they believed the trains would all be moving again within an hour and a half, however, it is unknown when the protest will end.
“The call was put out this morning saying ‘Rise!’ because of the things that are continuing to go on in Wet’suwet’en,” said a protestor at the train tracks who requested to remain anonymous.
“We can’t sit by and watch what they’re doing and do nothing. It’s genocide. The Canadian people need to be ashamed and not allow it. This country was born in genocide,” he said.

Trains stopped locally due to demonstration in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en by Tori Stafford, Kinstonist, February 6, 2020

The flag of those demonstrating waves in the wind at the railway crossing being closed off intermittently by demonstrators in solidarity with Wet’suwet’en. Photo by Cris Vilela.

“We make conscious decisions to either sit back and watch, or stand up and be heard.
We make choices as to whether protect our future generations, or we allow for a destitute future for them.
We make choices as to enter the uncomfortable place of change & movement, or we continue on this downward spiral.
What will your choice be? Will you sit back and allow for human rights violations to occur, or will you #RiseUp with us?”
-Wet’suwete’n Access Point at Gidemt’en Facebook Page
As you read this rail lines are being shut down and people are flooding the streets of so called Canada.
Join the movement! Rise up!

INTERNATIONAL MOBILIZATION EVENT PAGE

VANCOUVER: Meet Friday at Woodland Park at 2:30 PM
VANCOUVER: https://www.facebook.com/events/258799555104681/
Sunday at 1 at City Hall
NORTH VANCOUVER: Today at 1 PM MLA Bowinn Ma’s Office 50-221 Esplande Ave
VICTORIA: https://www.facebook.com/events/206313827165150/
Rally at the BC Legislature today at noon
VICTORIA 2: https://www.facebook.com/events/183252849712935/
Invasion Screening Sunday at 6 PM
ABBOTSFORD: https://www.facebook.com/events/122380975793432/
2 PM Friday at City Hall
BAY AREA: https://www.facebook.com/events/180970053115056/
Ongoing Phone Zap
COURTENAY BC: https://www.facebook.com/events/552752971982802/
Friday at 1 PM at MLA Ronna Rae’s Office on 4th st
CHILLIWACK: https://www.facebook.com/events/535181934012134/
Today at 3 at Chilliwack law Courts
DES MOINES IOWA: https://www.facebook.com/events/174522197214378/
Friday at 5:30

Posted in Uncategorized, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment

Take to the Streets

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

Following is more information about the raids by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) against the Wet’suwet’en peoples in British Columbia. We are being asked to do what we can in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en. Multiple ways to do that follow.

UPDATE: Message from Freda Huson
Share widely: A message from Freda Huson, Chief Howilhkat of #Unistoten.
We will stand our ground. We refuse to be bullied off our lands. We will protect what is ours for future generations.
These lands will always be Unist’ot’en.
#UNISTOTEN #WetsuwetenStrong

All six land defenders released without charges.

Under cover of darkness early Thursday, the RCMP began raiding Wet’suwet’en land defender camps in northeastern B.C. and arresting opponents of a planned natural gas pipeline.
The first officers ⁠— many armed with tactical gear ⁠— began making arrests before 5 a.m. local time, removing journalists from the site and cutting off Wet’suwet’en radio communications, people in the camps said in reports posted to social media. Hours later, the Wet’suwet’en filed an application in court to have a judge strike down B.C.’s environmental approval of the pipeline, while demonstrations supporting the First Nation blocked highways and rail lines.
“This is an invasion of Indigenous territory,” said Cody Merriman, a member of the Wet’suwet’en community, in a live Facebook video showing a convoy of RCMP trucks streaming past a We’suwet’en checkpoint. At least 13 police vehicles were used in the pre-dawn raids.
“This is (Premier John Horgan’s) reconciliation,” Merriman said.

RCMP conduct pre-dawn raids on Wet’suwet’en land defender camps By Emma McIntosh, Canada’s National Observer, February 6th 2020

Militarized RCMP Raid Gidimt’en Monitoring Post at 39KM

SHARE WIDELY – This morning at approximately 4:30 am, heavily militarized RCMP invaded unceded Wet’suwet’en territory to facilitate construction of the Coastal Gaslink pipeline. Dozens of cops with dogs and assault rifles were used to arrest 6 unarmed people.
This was a monitoring post, set up to look out for Wet’suwet’en people further up the road at the Gidimt’en Checkpoint and Unist’ot’en Camp. NO ONE was violating any injunction.
RCMP said they would use the least amount of force possible, but they deployed a full scale invading force.
We have never ceded or surrendered this land and we never will. We stand strong. No amount of force will stop us from being Wet’suwet’en, or living on our lands.
Two camps currently face the prospect of militarized police violence. We won’t back down. All eyes on #Wetsuweten yintah!
#WETSUWETENSTRONG
Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gidimt039en-strong
Other ways to support: https://www.yintahaccess.com/take-action-1

“Oyate, Karla’s little 5 year old took my hand and said ‘promise you won’t let them take my yintah!’ She cried like somebody died when she heard she couldn’t stay because the bad men were coming and would take her away from her mother.”

Statement from Brenda Michell, Chief Geltiy

“My Ancestors before me protected this land, the way we are, so I could enjoy it, and my children and grandchildren can enjoy it.
“Jail me for being a loving grandmother who cares about her Yintah. That’s what Canada is going to be doing.” – Brenda Michell, Chief Geltiy of #Unistoten

As of 4:44 PM Chiefs & supporters blocked the road at 27km, forcing RCMP to let Wet’suwet’en chiefs in. Clearing work has stopped at 44km. Dsta’hyl (Likht’samisyu) said the #Wetsuweten will enforce the eviction of Coastal Gaslink, with any means at their disposal.

  Military tactical RCMP are amassed just before the camp at 44 and we’re seen waiting around the corner and hiding in the bush before nightfall

  RCMP Threaten to Arrest Journalist for Doing his Job During Police Raid in Northern BC

  Canadian Association of Journalists Condemns Crackdown on Reporters in Wet’suwet’en Territory

  All entrances to the Port of Vancouver were shut down today!

  Indigenous Youth are still locked down at the BC capital! UVIC Students walked out of class to join them!

  Rail Lines were shut down in Mohawk Territory and Highway 408 was blocked in 6 Nations, and Highway 16 blocked in Gitxsan Territory!

  Action Across Turtle Island are planned for tomorrow and through the weekend!
Your actions are forcing the public to look at what Canada’s blatant colonialism and are keeping people on the frontline safe! 

You’re having an impact! Please continue to mobilize!
See upcoming action list below!

Testimony to the power of the Unist’ot’en Healing Centre: 

“When me and johnny got to Unist’ot’en we were both in bad condition. We were so far gone in our addiction we needed help and didn’t know how to reach out or pushed people away. We were drowning out so much feelings greif. Trauma. Sadness. Anger. We planned on going to Unist’ot’en but couldnt leave the drinking life behind. After a tragic incident where we lost our baby neice. Johnnys aunty Sheila Mitchell helped us get there. Warner naziel and Freda Huson picked us up where we spent 5 amazing months getting to know the land and the amazing people we met. Who supported us in every which way they could. Our lives have changed because of Unist’ot’en. Me and johnny are ever so grateful. He misses trapping and hunting on the land. Also missing our Unist’ot’en family. Prayers are with u all today. Thanks for helping us get our lives back on track living healthy. Because of Unist’ot’en we have been sober. And have a healthy daughter. Forever in our hearts 💜”
Militarized Police are invading unceded Wet’suwet’en Territories to arrest grandmothers at their healing center for Indigenous peoples!
The time to rise up is now!

-Unist’ot’en Solidarity Brigade

The Turtle Island News
Six Nations shuts down 403 in support of Wet’suwet’en
The 403 westbound near Ancaster has now reopened after Six Nations people shut down the highway in support of the Wet’suwet’en who were arrested this morning after RCMP began enforcing a n injunction awarded to Coastal Gaslink Dec., 31 . The hour long protest caused a massive backup .
It was one of several actions across Ontario today that blocked rail lines and highways.

Here in Iowa we will hold a vigil in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people at 5:30 pm tonight (Feb 7) at 4211 Grand Avenue in Des Moines.

My friend and Quaker Peter Clay has given permission to share his letter to Prime Minister Trudeau so you can modify it and send your own letter.

Subject: Stop the Assault on the Wet’suwet’en Land Defenders
7th February, 2020
Prime Minister Trudeau:
The whole world is watching you and B.C. Premier John Horgan. Stop the illegal and violent actions of the RCMP. I ask you to honor Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and immediately cease the assault on the Wet’suwet’en land defenders.
Here in Des Moines, Iowa and all around the world, people are gathering in solidarity with the First Nations People of Canada. Do what is right Prime Minister Trudeau! The world is watching and the world must change how we power our communities. The time for fossil fuels in over.
Be a global leader! Respect indigenous rights and wisdom. Stand with indigenous elders and indigenous youth! This is YOUR moment to say “No more! We must and will respect the sovereignty of the unceded lands of Canada’s First Nations.” To say- “We must keep it in the ground!” The Coastal Gaslink Pipeline must NOT be built! Many of us in the United States look northward and hope for the leadership that is sorely lacking here. Please sir, speak and act for what is fundamentally right and just. We are counting on you. You can be a profile in courage.

MAKE A PHONE CALL TO SUPPORT WET’SUWET’EN

B.C. GOVERNMENT:
John Horgan (Premier)
(250) 387-1715

Scott Fraser (Minister Of Indigenous and Relations and Reconciliation)
(250) 953-4844

David Eby (Attorney General)
(250) 387-1866

Mike Farnworth (Minister of Public Safety)
(250) 356-2178

Doug Donaldson (Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources)
(250) 387-6240

Michelle Mungall Minister of Mines Petroleum Resources)
(250) 953-0900
Your local MLA

YOU CAN SAY

I’m calling to ask that your government uphold
your commitment to the United Nations Declaration
of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and
respect Wet’suwet’en Law by withdrawing the RCMP
from Wet’suwefen Nation and canceling Coastal
GasLinks permits.

I was horrified when heavily-armed RCMP
officers forcibly removed Wet’suwet•’n people
from their own territory last year. and want to make
sure your government doesn’t let this happen today.

All five Clans at the Wet’suwet’en have rejected
all pipelines. Coastal GasLink’s proposed pipeline
does not have free, prior, and informed consent
from the Wet’suwet’en. CoastalGasLink and the
RCMP are trespassing on sovereign land.

Posted in civil disobedience, decolonize, Indigenous, Uncategorized, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment

Reports from Camps Raided by RCMP

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

The first sound was a snowmobile, somewhere in the distance.

Then, with no warning, a dozen RCMP vehicles, including prisoner vans and RCMP-branded Suburbans, roared out of the pre-dawn darkness and stopped just short of the watch camp where Wet’suwet’en land defenders have been resisting a court-ordered evacuation of their lands to make way for a pipeline.

Backed up by tactical officers, dog teams, and drones with infrared sensors, dozens of RCMP officers began raiding Wet’suwet’en land defender camps shortly before 5 a.m.

Led by one officer bellowing “Police! Stay Calm!”, dozens of officers flooded into the watch camp.

One RCMP officer repeatedly threatened a VICE reporter and another journalist with arrest, ordering them out of the camp while they conducted arrests.

Police also attempted to prevent journalists from photographing or filming members of the tactical enforcement teams, the green-clad militarized units which stormed the Gidimt’en barricades a year ago under the supervision of “lethal overwatch.”

VICE saw multiple members of the same unit at the watch camp, armed with what appeared to be sniper and assault rifles.

“Shame on the RCMP! Shame on the colonizer!” land defenders screamed as they were dragged away.

As arrests carried on, RCMP ordered journalists farther and farther away from the scene, apparently in response to orders directly from the tactical enforcement team officers.

In a statement released Thursday morning, Coastal GasLink president David Pfeiffer said the raid “is not the outcome we wanted.”

“We have made exceptional efforts to resolve this blockade through engagement and dialogue,” Pfeiffer said. “It’s truly unfortunate that we were unable to find a path forward that allowed for the construction of Coastal GasLink with the support of all.”

RCMP Are Raiding Wet’suwet’en Land Defender Camps. At least six people have been arrested after the RCMP started raiding Wet’suwet’en land defender camps early this morning.By Sarah Berman and Jesse, VICE, Feb 6 2020

According to supporters of the blockade, more than a dozen RCMP officers moved past the police checkpoint on Morice Forest Service Road early Thursday morning.

“It’s a whole damn army up there,” said Wet’suwet’en hereditary Chief Woos, who also goes by the name Frank Alec.

“They’ve got guns on, they’ve got tactical gear on. They look like they’re ready for war.”

The arrests were made at kilometre 39 — one of three camps built by supporters of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs — on the traditional territory near Houston, B.C., Gidimt’en clan spokesperson Molly Wickham said in a Facebook video.

Of the six who were arrested, police say one had locked herself in a vehicle and removed her clothing. Police broke a window to enter the vehicle and take her into custody.

Another man “dressed in a costume” fled by climbing a tree, but was later arrested. 

All six were taken to the Houston RCMP detachment and are expected to be released with an upcoming court date, police said. 

The Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs have said their protest against the $6-billion, 670-kilometre pipeline is and will remain peaceful.

As RCMP moved in Thursday, Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs announced they were launching a court challenge against the pipeline’s environmental approval.

6 arrested at Wet’suwet’en anti-pipeline camp. ‘They’ve got guns on, they’ve got tactical gear on,’ said Wet’suwet’en hereditary Chief Woos, CBC News · Posted: Feb 06, 2020

Posted in Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment

RCMP Invades Wet’suwet’en Territory

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Jeff Kisling

Despite the media blackout disturbing videos such as these are telling the story of what is happening as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police invade the Wet’suwet’en territory.

Join us at 4211 Grand Ave in Des Moines, Iowa, tomorrow evening at 5:30 for a vigil in solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en people.

Time to Rise Up!: RCMP Invades Wet’suwet’en Territory

Early in the morning on Feb 6th, the RCMP launched their long anticipated raid on Wet’suwet’en land defenders. Six supporters have been arrested, at the 39 km marker of the Morice West Forest Service Road, and a large contingent of RCMP trucks and heavy equipment have moved onwards towards the Gidimt’en Access point at the 44 km marker. The time has come for supporters to rise up and #ShutDownCanada.

#WetsuwetenStrong #DefendtheYintah

You can donate to legal defense/support funds here:
Gidimt’en: https://bit.ly/389LIoo
Unist’ot’en: https://bit.ly/2Svm2fw
Likht’samisyu: https://bit.ly/388m3wu

Militarized RCMP Raid Gidimt’en Monitoring Post at 39KM

SHARE WIDELY – This morning at approximately 4:30am, heavily militarized RCMP invaded unceded Wet’suwet’en territory to facilitate construction of the Coastal Gaslink pipeline. Dozens of cops with dogs and assault rifles were used to arrest 6 unarmed people.

This was a monitoring post, set up to look out for Wet’suwet’en people further up the road at the Gidimt’en Checkpoint and Unist’ot’en Camp. NO ONE was violating any injunction.

RCMP said they would use the least amount of force possible, but they deployed a full scale invading force.

We have never ceded or surrendered this land and we never will. We stand strong. No amount of force will stop us from being Wet’suwet’en, or living on our lands.

Two camps currently face the prospect of militarized police violence. We won’t back down. All eyes on #Wetsuweten yintah!

Donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gidimt039en-strong

Other ways to support: https://www.yintahaccess.com/take-action-1

#WETSUWETENSTRONG

Posted in civil disobedience, decolonize, Uncategorized, Unist'ot'en, Wet’suwet’en | Leave a comment