Saturday 19 October 2013

Anti-fracking protests in New Brunswick

First Nations clash with police at anti-fracking protest


18 October, 2013

An anti-fracking protest by hundreds of indigenous Canadians turned violent on Thursday when police came to break up the action. Members of the Elsipogtog and Mi'kmaq First Nations tribes blocked a highway in the province of New Brunswick to stop shale gas company SWN Resources from continuing development in the area. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested at least 40 protesters and attempted to disperse the group with dogs, pepper spray, fire hoses, tear gas, rubber bullets, and snipers. Protesters responded by torching cars and throwing Molotov cocktails.



This latest incident reflects the ongoing tension between energy companies and indigenous peoples in Canada. Many used the hashtags #Elsipogtog, #Miqmakblockade, #IdleNoMore and #cdnpoli to share information about the protest.



Anonymous @OccupyTheMob

Follow


Police hosing fracking protesters in NB #Elsipogtog  #FrackingProtest 
6:25 AM - 18 Oct 2013
61 RETWEETS 8 FAVORITES




Settler Colonial @SettlerColonial

Follow


Fellow Canadians, this is the side you want to be on. Be half as brave as that little girl. #Elsipogtog #cdnpoli 
7:47 AM - 18 Oct 2013
561 RETWEETS 245 FAVORITE


The police arrested several protesters




Todd Lamirande @ToddLamirande

Follow


Visual proof of arrests at #Elsipogtog  #idlenomore 
6:59 AM - 18 Oct 2013
28 RETWEETS 1 FAVORITE

    A reporter on the scene tweeted an offensive comment he overheard from an officer:
     
  • Ossie Michelin @Osmich
    Follow
  • Camo police: "crown land belongs to the government not to f*cking natives"
3:27 AM - 18 Oct 2013 from Kent, New Brunswick, Canada 233 RETWEETS 33 FAVORITES 

Many shared video and images of the police presence in the area:


fr0g5 @frogsarelovely

Follow


The legitimate response to peaceful protest in Canada? pic.twitter.com/2PVMn4BlLp #Elsipogtog #cdnpoli #manifencours #NB #Rexton
6:27 AM - 18 Oct 2013
38 RETWEETS 2 FAVORITE





Some felt the police response was not justified: 
Call off your guns @pmharper! Sending snipers is an abysmal way to bully peaceful protestors. Stop before violence escalates. #Elsipogtog
6:26 AM - 18 Oct 2013 8 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES 


Jennifer Yap @Yap_Jen 
@PremierNB I'm shocked your office thinks snipers in camo, riot gear & pepper spray an appropriate response to civilian protest. #Elsipogtog
6:58 AM - 18 Oct 2013 37 RETWEETS 6 FAVORITES 

Images of several police vehicles that were set on fire by protesters circulated on Twitter
 
Anonymous @YourAnonNews

Follow


#Rexton village limits right now: pic.twitter.com/LSZJFHKr6w #NB via @01LBrown
6:12 AM - 18 Oct 2013
83 RETWEETS 23 FAVORITES

Heather Marsh @GeorgieBC

Follow


RCMP patrol cars on fire in #Rexton. One pic.twitter.com/trHpWFsQrr  #elsipogtog
5:31 AM - 18 Oct 2013
5 RETWEETS 1 FAVORITE


Heather Marsh @GeorgieBC 
RCMP patrol cars on fire in #Rexton. Two pic.twitter.com/f63xjQZ5ZK  #elsipogtog
5:32 AM - 18 Oct 2013

52 RETWEETS 8 FAVORITES



A few debated whether torching cars made the protest non-peaceful:

Madison Arielle Schell

Peaceful protesting means no harm or violence. Looks like cars were burned, that's not peaceful. Obviously something had to be done after that. That is breaking the law and destruction of property. I hope everyone is ok but people of any culture should respect property and other cultures too

2 DAYS AGO


 Kevin Gonzaga @speakfaithfully
Follow
"Omg they burned our cars, so violent!" exclaimed the officer equipped with military gear, pointing guns at women and elders. #Elsipogtog
6:54 AM - 18 Oct 2013 130 RETWEETS 43 FAVORITES 


 A former chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation  told The Global and Mail the cars were torched "after the arrest of Elsipogtog chief Arren Sock and several council members."

Many expressed outrage and disappointment in the Canadian government and corporations:
Kevin Gonzaga @speakfaithfully
Follow

What is happening in #Elsipogtog is the physical embodiment of Canada's colonial nature. It is like this year round. #cdnpoli
5:50 AM - 18 Oct 2013 32 RETWEETS 6 FAVORITES 


The #RCMP 's involvement on what was a peaceful protest is horrifying. Harper's Canada = profits before people. #Elsipogtog6:18 AM - 18 Oct 2013 24 RETWEETS 2 FAVORITES 

Angel Doxtater
All for oil. Shame on you canada! Shame on you! 2 DAYS AGO

24 RETWEETS 2 FAVORITES jen @bluejenny
FollowThe land belongs to the people and the people belong on their land, far removed govt and corporations shouldn't have such power  #Elsipogtog7:02 AM - 18 Oct 2013 21 RETWEETS 7 FAVORITES 


Supporters of the protest tweeted messages of solidarity and planned to raise awareness of the action in other cities:
C.J. @Gingeronomy
Follow
21 RETWEETS 7 FAVORITESI am pro-clean water/ anti-shale gas extraction/ anti-fracking.  I fully support peaceful protest at the #mikmaqblockade   #Elsipogtog #INM
6:24 AM - 18 Oct 2013 9 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES 

Isaac Gray @isaacagray 
Follow
I wish I was in Canada right now so I could do more to express #solidarity with the brave people at the  #mikmaqblockade in NB.6:30 AM - 18 Oct 2013 4 RETWEETS 3 FAVORITES 


Richelle C. Brown @BirchCelloWren
Follow
I'm leaving now for Canadian Embassy in DC to show support for #Elsipogtog #mikmaqblockade. DCers, please join at 501 Penn Ave NW6:29 AM - 18 Oct 2013 38 RETWEETS 16 FAVORITES 



Eugene Boulanger @ultranorthwest 
Follow#Solidarity actions currently being planned across the country in support of #ELSIPOGTOG #antifracking effort. #RISE #INM6:51 AM - 18 Oct 2013 22 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES 
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)