Canada: CPT in nationwide protests against illegal pipeline

Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) are supporting peaceful protests across Canada against a massive gas pipeline being constructed across the country through many indigenous reservations where the people have not given their permission. Demonstrations have taken place in many towns and cities across the country bringing transport to a halt in several halt.

On 8 February 2020, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) invaded the land defenders camp at a site 27km in Wet'suwet'en Territory in northern British Columbia. They arrested 11 people, including two members of CPT. The authorities charged those arrested with breach of the injunction that forbids impeding Coastal GasLink (CGL) workers from accessing roads or their worksite. At the time of the arrest, the 11 people, including the CPTers, were in a cabin at site 27km not blocking any roads, thus making their charge of 'breach of the injunction' false. In addition, the RCMP did not have a warrant to enter the cabin - making the arrest illegal.

Christian Peacemaker Teams has been present at 27km since 3 February 2020, providing legal observation alongside the land defenders of Wet'suwet'en Territory. The land defenders are protecting their territory from Coastal Gas Link's 670km fracked gas pipeline. The province of British Columbia and CGL have not received consent from the five Hereditary Chiefs and Wet'suwet'en land defenders, therefore violating the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - a Declaration the province of BC promised to uphold through recently enacted provincial legislation (Bill 41).

Campaigners say the authorities have used excessive force in their efforts to stop the protests. CPT said in a statement: "Reconciliation does not take place when a gun is pointed at you. Remove the RCMP immediately from Wet'suwet'en Sovereign Land! No pipelines without consent! Hands off land and water defenders!"

The 11 people arrested were taken to Houston, BC, and anticipated a court appearance soon. For more information see the CPT Turtle Island Solidarity Network page - www.cpt.org/programs/tisn and follow their Facebook page for updates.