Anti-pipeline protesters block CN Rail tracks in East Vancouver

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The CN Rail tracks at Venables Street and Glen Drive were the site of a five-hour blockade Sunday as demonstrators supporting Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs who have come out once again to show opposition to a natural gas pipeline on traditional territories.


Despite calls from the Prime Minister to end all rail blockades in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, a new blockade formed Sunday morning.

“We are here to stand up for our rights and to stand in solidarity with the rest of our Wet’suwet’en nation. We want the RCMP off our traditional territories and CGL,” says a protester, Tanya, who is among a group of 30 supporters gathered near the tracks.

Natalie Knight was one of the organizers of Sunday’s action and says the group proceeded in spite of a court injunction.

“We recognize sovereign Indigenous law, and we don’t recognize the colonial legal system,” she says.

Early on in the protest, Vancouver police visited protesters of the CN rail injunction and asked them to leave the train tracks, but protesters told officers they weren’t  leaving until hereditary chief demands are met.

“The chiefs demands have been clear that the province must cease construction of the Coastal Gaslink pipeline; the RCMP must withdraw from Wet’suwet’en lands, and government, the RCMP and CGL must respect Wet’suwet’en law and governance,” a news release read.

“Civil disobedience is necessary to push back against the enforcement of unjust laws. We demand an end to the use of injunctions to repress Indigenous peoples.”

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The group stayed for five hours, packing up around 4:30 p.m. and vowing to return.

 

The protest didn’t affect nearby traffic.

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