JEFF LABINE Updated: February 14, 2020
Approximately 60 protesters rally in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Hereditary Chiefs, as they march along Jasper Avenue near 108 Street, in Edmonton Friday Feb. 14, 2020. Approximately 20 Edmonton Police Service members were on hand during the protest. Photo by David Bloom
Supporters of Wet’suwet’en’s fight to stop a gas pipeline from going to the British Columbia coast took to the streets in Edmonton, where police say one person was taken into custody.
About 60 protesters of the proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline marched along Jasper Avenue at 109 Street Friday afternoon with signs in hand. Edmonton city police responded by monitoring the situation and asking motorists to avoid the area if possible. About 20 officers were called to the scene.
Police confirmed three people were taken into custody but only one was related to the protest. Police said a protester was taken into custody for allegedly blocking traffic but released some time later with no charges. Two other people were also taken into custody in the area but police said this was unrelated to the protest.
Police said in a news release that Canadians have a right to gather peacefully but there are limitations on peacefull assembly under the Criminal Code.
Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route. However, Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs assert title to a vast 22,000-square-kilometre area and say band councils only have authority over reserve lands. The pipeline is meant to pump natural gas from northeastern B.C. to an export facility being built in Kitimat.
The company has promised $1 billion in benefits to First Nations along the 670-km route.
CN Rail shut down its eastern Canadian network Thursday and Via Rail cancelled most passenger trains after protesters blockaded tracks crossing through Mohawk territory in Ontario.
On Friday, protesters lifted a blockade from a commuter rail route in Vancouver as Indigenous leaders planned to meet with federal and provincial politicians. A protest blocking the CN Rail line near Belleville, Ont., remained in place.
CTV News
Protesters rally in support of Wet'suwet'en in downtown Edmonton
A group of protesters gathered in downtown to show their support for the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in their fight against the Coastal GasLink pipeline Friday ...
EDMONTON -- A group of about 50 gathered in downtown Edmonton Friday afternoon to show their support for the Wet'suwet'en First Nation's fight against the Coastal GasLink pipeline.The protest started in the area of Jasper Avenue and 109 Street just after 3 p.m. Protesters circled the intersection with megaphones and signs for about half an hour.One protester told CTV News Edmonton he wanted to block traffic, but police officers told people to stay on the crosswalks and sidewalks.
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Supporters of Wet’suwet’en’s fight to stop a gas pipeline from going to the British Columbia coast took to the streets in Edmonton, where police say one person was taken into custody.
About 60 protesters of the proposed Coastal GasLink pipeline marched along Jasper Avenue at 109 Street Friday afternoon with signs in hand. Edmonton city police responded by monitoring the situation and asking motorists to avoid the area if possible. About 20 officers were called to the scene.
Police confirmed three people were taken into custody but only one was related to the protest. Police said a protester was taken into custody for allegedly blocking traffic but released some time later with no charges. Two other people were also taken into custody in the area but police said this was unrelated to the protest.
Police said in a news release that Canadians have a right to gather peacefully but there are limitations on peacefull assembly under the Criminal Code.
Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route. However, Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs assert title to a vast 22,000-square-kilometre area and say band councils only have authority over reserve lands. The pipeline is meant to pump natural gas from northeastern B.C. to an export facility being built in Kitimat.
The company has promised $1 billion in benefits to First Nations along the 670-km route.
CN Rail shut down its eastern Canadian network Thursday and Via Rail cancelled most passenger trains after protesters blockaded tracks crossing through Mohawk territory in Ontario.
On Friday, protesters lifted a blockade from a commuter rail route in Vancouver as Indigenous leaders planned to meet with federal and provincial politicians. A protest blocking the CN Rail line near Belleville, Ont., remained in place.
Protesters rally in support of Wet'suwet'en in downtown Edmonton
A group of protesters gathered in downtown to show their support for the Wet'suwet'en First Nation in their fight against the Coastal GasLink pipeline Friday ...
1:09m
Wet'suwet'en supporters flood 109 Street
Protesters rally in support of Wet'suwet'en in downtown Edmonton
CTV News Edmonton Staff Friday, February 14, 2020 3EDMONTON -- A group of about 50 gathered in downtown Edmonton Friday afternoon to show their support for the Wet'suwet'en First Nation's fight against the Coastal GasLink pipeline.The protest started in the area of Jasper Avenue and 109 Street just after 3 p.m. Protesters circled the intersection with megaphones and signs for about half an hour.One protester told CTV News Edmonton he wanted to block traffic, but police officers told people to stay on the crosswalks and sidewalks.
Related Stories
Canada doesn't tell police what to do, Trudeau says of rail blockades
Alberta starting to feel impact of Wet’suwet’en protests
As economic impact of rail blockades grows, protesters say fundamental rights are at
stakeEdmonton Police Service said officers did take one person into custody after they appeared to attempt to block traffic. They have since been released. No charges were laid.EPS said the majority of the group remained clear of the roadway, as advised by police, and that several officers walked with them for a period.Two others were arrested in relation to a separate unrelated event, police said.The group dispersed just before 4 p.m.
PROTESTS BECOMING AN 'ECONOMIC CRISIS': KENNEY
Similar protests have taken place across the country, and rail blockades have prompted CN Rail to halt rail service in eastern Canada, and Via Rail to cancel passenger trains nationwide.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said Friday the blockades by "angry fringe groups" are quickly having an effect across Canada.
"This is not just a regional issue and it's not just isolated. This has become a national economic crisis."
Kenney noted there are domino effects from the shutdown that are affecting people, including rail workers and agriculture producers.
“It means that our farmers here in the West are going to have a harder time getting their products to market,” said Kenney.
“And guess what? Our farmers - they don't have defined benefit pensions. They don't have job security. They don't get paid unless that grain gets loaded onto the trains. Trains that are now being shut down.
FARMERS IN WESTERN CANADA ARE MILLIONAIRES IN HOCK TO THE BANKS
THE ALBERTA GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZES AGRIBUSINESS IN ALBERTA FARMERS
ARE THE BIGGEST RECIPIENTS OF STATE WELFARE IN ALBERTA
“I think Canadians are losing patience with this. I know Indigenous people are.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the disruptions by Indigenous groups and supporters must be resolved through dialogue, rather than ordering police.
The blockades started with a protest by Indigenous groups in B.C., where the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline would pass through First Nations territory.
With files from The Canadian Press
“I think Canadians are losing patience with this. I know Indigenous people are.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said the disruptions by Indigenous groups and supporters must be resolved through dialogue, rather than ordering police.
The blockades started with a protest by Indigenous groups in B.C., where the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline would pass through First Nations territory.
With files from The Canadian Press
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