Demonstration returns to B.C. legislature despite injunction

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) — A court injunction against protesting hasn’t stopped a large demonstration from forming on the steps of the B.C. legislature on Monday.

Indigenous Youth for Wet’suwet’en say they gathered to “challenge the colonial injunction and stand in Indigenous law,” while calling on politicians to meet with Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.

“We are asking that Canada stand with us. We are asking that you stand with us to bear witness to the enforcement of a colonial injunction on Indigenous youth who are conducting cultural business, not blockading. We are not protesters, we are protectors,” the group says in a tweet.

We are unarmed Indigenous youth. The speaker who filed the injunction has stated we are not breaking it. It is the police’s discretion whether or not to enforce the injunction. These are our faces & our supporters as we stand, unarmed, peacefully, met with armed police. pic.twitter.com/CzYHBJ0UGm

— Indigenous Youth for Wet’suwet’en (@IY4wetsuweten) February 25, 2020

Victoria police say their presence at the demonstration is to ensure safety and keep the peace.

We’re bringing one of our vans to the Legislature driveway. This is to keep our officers warm – it’s chilly down there. This is NOT a precursor to arrests. #yyj #F208353

— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) February 25, 2020

Police say they will stay overnight as the protest continues.

This isn’t the first time protesters in support of Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs demonstrated at the legislature. Earlier in February hundreds of protesters blocked the doors into the building leading to several arrests.