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First
Nations clash with police at anti-fracking protest
18
October, 2013
An
anti-fracking protest by hundreds of indigenous Canadians turned
violent
on Thursday when police came to break up the action. Members of the
Elsipogtog and Mi'kmaq First Nations tribes blocked
a highway in the province of New Brunswick to stop
shale gas company SWN Resources from continuing
development in the area. Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
arrested
at least 40 protesters and attempted to disperse the group with dogs,
pepper spray, fire hoses, tear gas, rubber bullets, and snipers.
Protesters responded
by torching cars and throwing Molotov cocktails.
This
latest incident reflects the ongoing
tension
between energy companies and indigenous peoples in Canada. Many used
the hashtags #Elsipogtog,
#Miqmakblockade,
#IdleNoMore
and #cdnpoli
to share information about the protest.
Police hosing fracking protesters in NB #Elsipogtog #FrackingProtest
61 RETWEETS 8 FAVORITES
Fellow Canadians, this is the side you want to be on. Be half as brave as that little girl. #Elsipogtog #cdnpoli
561 RETWEETS 245 FAVORITE
The
police arrested several protesters
Visual proof of arrests at #Elsipogtog #idlenomore
28 RETWEETS 1 FAVORITE
- Ossie Michelin @Osmich
Follow - Camo police: "crown land belongs to the government not to f*cking natives"
A
reporter on the scene tweeted an offensive comment he overheard from
an officer:
Many
shared video and images of the police presence in the area:
The legitimate response to peaceful protest in Canada? pic.twitter.com/2PVMn4BlLp #Elsipogtog #cdnpoli #manifencours #NB #Rexton
38 RETWEETS 2 FAVORITE
Some
felt the police response was not justified:
Call off your guns @pmharper! Sending snipers is an abysmal way to bully peaceful protestors. Stop before violence escalates. #Elsipogtog6:26 AM - 18 Oct 2013 8 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES
Jennifer Yap @Yap_Jen
@PremierNB I'm shocked your office thinks snipers in camo, riot gear & pepper spray an appropriate response to civilian protest. #Elsipogtog
6:58 AM - 18 Oct 2013 37 RETWEETS 6 FAVORITES
Images
of several police vehicles that were set on fire by protesters
circulated on Twitter
#Rexton village limits right now: pic.twitter.com/LSZJFHKr6w #NB via @01LBrown
83 RETWEETS 23 FAVORITES
RCMP patrol cars on fire in #Rexton. One pic.twitter.com/trHpWFsQrr #elsipogtog
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Heather Marsh @GeorgieBC
RCMP patrol cars on fire in #Rexton. Two pic.twitter.com/f63xjQZ5ZK #elsipogtog
5:32 AM - 18 Oct 2013
52 RETWEETS 8 FAVORITES
A
few debated whether torching cars made the protest non-peaceful:
Peaceful protesting means no harm or violence. Looks like cars were burned, that's not peaceful. Obviously something had to be done after that. That is breaking the law and destruction of property. I hope everyone is ok but people of any culture should respect property and other cultures too
2 DAYS AGO
Kevin Gonzaga @speakfaithfully
Follow
"Omg they burned our cars, so violent!" exclaimed the officer equipped with military gear, pointing guns at women and elders. #Elsipogtog
6:54 AM - 18 Oct 2013 130 RETWEETS 43 FAVORITES
A former chief of the Elsipogtog First Nation told The Global and Mail the cars were torched "after the arrest of Elsipogtog chief Arren Sock and several council members."
Many
expressed outrage and disappointment in the Canadian government and
corporations:
Follow
What is happening in #Elsipogtog is the physical embodiment of Canada's colonial nature. It is like this year round. #cdnpoli
5:50 AM - 18 Oct 2013 32 RETWEETS 6 FAVORITES
The #RCMP 's involvement on what was a peaceful protest is horrifying. Harper's Canada = profits before people. #Elsipogtog6:18 AM - 18 Oct 2013 24 RETWEETS 2 FAVORITES
All for oil. Shame on you canada! Shame on you! 2 DAYS AGO
24 RETWEETS 2 FAVORITES jen @bluejenny
FollowThe land belongs to the people and the people belong on their land, far removed govt and corporations shouldn't have such power #Elsipogtog7:02 AM - 18 Oct 2013 21 RETWEETS 7 FAVORITES
Supporters of the protest tweeted messages of solidarity and planned to raise awareness of the action in other cities:
Follow
21 RETWEETS 7 FAVORITESI am pro-clean water/ anti-shale gas extraction/ anti-fracking. I fully support peaceful protest at the #mikmaqblockade #Elsipogtog #INM
6:24 AM - 18 Oct 2013 9 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES
All for oil. Shame on you canada! Shame on you! 2 DAYS AGO
24 RETWEETS 2 FAVORITES jen @bluejenny
FollowThe land belongs to the people and the people belong on their land, far removed govt and corporations shouldn't have such power #Elsipogtog7:02 AM - 18 Oct 2013 21 RETWEETS 7 FAVORITES
Supporters of the protest tweeted messages of solidarity and planned to raise awareness of the action in other cities:
Follow
21 RETWEETS 7 FAVORITESI am pro-clean water/ anti-shale gas extraction/ anti-fracking. I fully support peaceful protest at the #mikmaqblockade #Elsipogtog #INM
6:24 AM - 18 Oct 2013 9 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES
Isaac Gray @isaacagray
Follow
Follow
Richelle C. Brown @BirchCelloWren
Follow
Eugene Boulanger @ultranorthwest
Follow#Solidarity actions currently being planned across the country in support of #ELSIPOGTOG #antifracking effort. #RISE #INM6:51 AM - 18 Oct 2013 22 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES
Follow
Eugene Boulanger @ultranorthwest
Follow#Solidarity actions currently being planned across the country in support of #ELSIPOGTOG #antifracking effort. #RISE #INM6:51 AM - 18 Oct 2013 22 RETWEETS 5 FAVORITES
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