Breaking: Pre-dawn RCMP arrests on Wet’suwet’en territories

Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs from left, Rob Alfred, John Ridsdale, center and Antoinette Austin, who oppose the Coastal Gaslink pipeline take part in a rally in Smithers B.C., on Friday Jan.10, 2020.

4:57 am, Feb 6, 2020: The gate at 39 km has been breached. 13 RCMP vehicles past 39 km. Road is being cleared, 1 to 4 arrests made. Story developing.

4:55am – It’s not yet 5am – still totally dark out – and we’ve just heard RCMP made their first arrest at the #Wetsuweten monitoring post at 39KM. Cops are surrounding people there and beginning to clear the road to the Gidimt’en checkpoint.

5:05am – We’ve heard 13 RCMP vehicles headed up the road earlier this morning. Up to 4 arrests have been made now, and RCMP are taking down tents. Our understanding is these tents were NOT blocking the road and are not part of the injunction area.

5:30am – We’re hearing reports from the front line that some RCMP had their guns out – not pointed at people – but guns in hand.

We’re told that even with more than a dozen vehicles out on the territory, the Houston community hall is still full of cops waiting to invade our lands.

5:43am – We estimate more than a dozen cops on site, with six cops surrounding the person communicating updates over radio.

5:56am – The person on radio at 39km reports RCMP have broken in the windows of their vehicle.

6:22am: We have lost all communication with the Gidimt’en watch post at 39KM after RCMP smashed the window of the radio vehicle. It’s still pitch black out.

6:43am: We have reports that RCMP are now blocking the forest service road at 4KM.

6:59 am: We have reports RCMP have headed up from town in an approximately 20+ vehicle convoy. #Wetsuweten #WetsuwetenStrong

7:22am: 36 vehicles, 1 ambulance and heavy machinery went up from 4 KM. At least 2 bulldozers and excavator.

7:48 am: RCMP are transporting the 4 arrested supporters to Houston. BC. Everyone at 39KM was arrested except media. Media that were at 39km are being driven out in a police van.


Join the Struggle-La Lucha Telegram channel